THE  STORY  OF 

RED  FEATHER 


EDWARD  •$«  ELLIS 


"  H*  held  his  ponj    ready  to  send  him  flying  over  the  praiIie.-Page 


131 


B 


of  the  zZfmecican  Ibontiec 


EdwardS.Ellis 


Itlustcated 
New  York 


Copyright  by 
McLOUGHLIN  BROTHERS 

1908 


:roft  Library 


CHAPTER  ONE 

Brother  and  Sister  — The  Signal        .        .        . 

CHAPTER  TWO 

An  Important  Letter  —  Shut  in 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Caught  Fast  —  A  Friend  in  Need 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

The  Consultation  —  On  the  Roof       ..... 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

A  Strange  Visit  —  Ominous  Signs 

CHAPTER  SIX 
The  Muddy  Creek  Band  —  The  Torch     .... 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 
"A  Little  Child  Shall  Lead  Them "  — Surrounded  by  Peril 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 
Tall  Bear  and  his  Warriors  —  A  Surprising  Discovery     . 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Nat  Trumbull  and  his  Men  —  Out  in  the  Night      . 

CHAPTER  TEN 

An  Old  Friend  —  Separated 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 
At  the  Lower  Crossing  —  Tall  Bear's  Last  Failure 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 
Conclusion  .  ... 


3 
14 
25 
36 
47 
58 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


CHAPTER   ONE 

BROTHER   AND    SISTER  —  THE    SIGNAL 

IT  is  within  my  memory  that  Melville  Clarendon,  a  lad  of  sixteen 
years,  was  riding  through  Southern  Minnesota,  in  company 
with  his  sister  Dorothy,  a  sweet  little  miss  not  quite  half  his  own  age. 

They  were  mounted  on  Saladin,  a  high-spirited,  fleet,  and  good- 
tempered  pony  of  coal-black  color.  Melville,  who  claimed  the  steed 
as  his  own  special  property,  had  given  him  his  Arabian  name  because 
he  fancied  there  were  many  points  of  resemblance  between  him  and 
the  winged  coursers  of  the  East,  made  famous  as  long  ago  as  the  time 
of  the  Crusades. 

The  lad  sat  his  horse  like  a  skilled  equestrian,  and  indeed  it  would 
,be  hard  to  find  his  superior  in  that  respect  throughout  that  broad 
stretch  of  sparsely  settled  country.  Those  who  live  on  the  American 
frontier  are  trained  from  their  earliest  youth  in  the  management  of 
quadrupeds,  and  often  display  a  proficiency  that  cannot  fail  to  excite 
admiration. 

Melville's  fine  breech-loading  rifle  was  slung  over  his  shoulder,  and 
held  in  place  by  a  strap  that  passed  in  front.  It  could  be  quickly 
drawn  from  its  position  whenever  needed.  It  was  not  of  the  repeating 
pattern,  but  the  youth  was  so  handy  with  the  weapon  that  he  could 


I  THE  STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

put  the  cartridges  in  place,  aim,  and  fire  not  only  with  great  accuracy, 
but  with  marked  rapidity. 

In  addition,  he  carried  a  good  revolver,  though  he  did  not  expect 
to  use  either  weapon  on  the  short  journey  he  was  making.  He 
followed,  however,  the  law  of  the  border,  which  teaches  the  pioneer 
never  to  venture  beyond  sight  of  his  home  unprepared  for  every 
emergency  that  is  likely  to  arise. 

It  was  quite  early  in  the  forenoon,  Melville  having  made  an  early 
start  from  the  border-town  of  Barwell,  and  he  was  well  on  his  way 
to  his  home,  which  lay  ten  miles  to  the  south.  "Dot,"  as  his  little 
sister  was  called  by  her  friends,  had  been  on  a  week's  visit  to  her 
uncle's  at  the  settlement,  the  agreement  all  round  being  that  she 
should  stay  there  for  a  fortnight  at  least;  but  her  parents  and  her 
big  brother  rebelled  at  the  end  of  the  week.  They  missed  the  prattle 
and  sunshine  which  only  Dot  could  bring  into  their  home,  and  Mel 
ville's  heart  was  delighted  when  his  father  told  him  to  mount  Saladin 
and  bring  her  home. 

And  when,  on  the  seventh  day  of  her  visit,  Dot  found  her  handsome 
brother  had  come  after  her,  and  was  to  take  her  home  the  following 
morning,  she  leaped  into  his  arms  with  a  cry  of  happiness ;  for  though 
her  relatives  had  never  suspected  it,  she  was  dreadfully  home-sick 
and  anxious  to  get  back  to  her  own  people. 

In  riding  northward  to  the  settlement,  young  Clarendon  followed 
the  regular  trail,  over  which  he  had  passed  scores  of  times.  Not  far 
from  the  house  he  crossed  a  broad  stream  at  a  point  where  the  current 
(except  when  there  was  rain)  was  less  than  two  feet  deep.  Its  shallow- 
ness  led  to  its  use  by  all  the  settlers  within  a  large  radius  to  the  south 
ward,  so  that  the  faintly  marked  trails  converged  at  this  point  some- 


THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  5 

thing  like  the  spokes  of  a  large  wheel,  and  became  one  from  that  point 
northward  to  the  settlement. 

A  mile  to  the  east  was  another  crossing  which  was  formerly  used. 
It  was  not  only  broader,  but  there  were  one  or  two  deep  holes  into 
which  a  horse  was  likely  to  plunge  unless  much  care  was  used.  Several 
unpleasant  accidents  of  this  nature  led  to  its  practical  abandonment. 

The  ten  miles  between  the  home  of  the  Clarendons  and  the  little 
town  of  Harwell  consisted  of  prairie,  stream,  and  woodland.  A  ride 
over  the  trail,  therefore,  during  pleasant  weather  afforded  a  most 
pleasing  variety  of  scenery,  this  being  especially  the  case  in  spring 
and  summer.  The  eastern  trail  was  more  marked  in  this  respect 
and  it  did  not  unite  with  the  other  until  within  about  two  miles  of 
the  settlement.  Southward  from  the  point  of  union  the  divergence 
was  such  that  parties  separating  were  quickly  lost  to  view  of  each 
other,  remaining  thus  until  the  stream  of  which  I  have  spoken  was 
crossed.  There  the  country  became  so  open  that  on  a  clear  day  the 
vision  covered  all  the  space  between. 

I  have  been  thus  particular  in  explaining  the  "lay  of  the  land," 
as  it  is  called,  because  it  is  necessary  in  order  to  understand  the 
incidents  that  follow. 

Melville  laughed  at  the  prattle  of  Dot,  who  sat  in  front  of  him,  one 
of  his  arms  encircling  her  chubby  form,  while  Saladin  was  allowed 
to  walk  and  occasionally  gallop,  as  the  mood  prompted  him. 

There  was  no  end  of  her  chatter;  and  he  asked  her  questions  about 
he  week's  experience  at  Uncle  Jack's,  and  told  her  in  turn  how  much 
he  and  her  father  and  mother  had  missed  her,  and  what  jolly  times  they 
would  have  when  she  got  back. 

Melville  hesitated  for  a  minute  on  reaching  the  diverging  point 


6  THE   STORY   OF  RED   FEATHER 

of  the  paths.  He  was  anxious  to  get  home;  but  his  wish  to  give 
his  loved  sister  all  the  enjoyment  possible  in  the  ride  led  him  to  take 
the  abandoned  trail,  and  it  proved  a  most  unfortunate  thing  that  he 
did  so. 

Just  here  I  must  tell  you  that  Melville  and  Dot  Clarendon  were 
dressed  very  much  as  boys  and  girls  of  their  age  are  dressed  to-day 
in  the  more  settled  parts  of  my  native  country.  Remember  that  the 
incidents  I  have  set  out  to  tell  you  took  place  only  a  very  few  years  ago. 

Instead  of  the  coon-skin  cap,  buckskin  suit,  leggings  and  mocassins, 
of  the  early  frontier,  Melville  wore  a  straw  hat,  a  thick  flannel  shirt, 
and,  since  the  weather  was  quite  warm,  he  was  without  coat  or  vest. 
His  trousers,  of  the  ordinary  pattern,  were  clasped  at  the  waist  by  his 
cartridge  belt,  and  his  shapely  feet  were  encased  in  strong  well-made 
shoes.  His  revolver  was  thrust  in  his  hip-pocket,  and  the  broad  collar 
of  his  shirt  was  clasped  at  the  neck  by  a  twisted  silk  handkerchief. 

As  for  Dot,  her  clustering  curls  rippled  from  under  a  jaunty  strawr 
hat,  and  fluttered  about  her  pretty  shoulders,  while  the  rest  of  her 
visible  attire  consisted  of  a  simple  dress,  shoes,  and  stockings.  The 
extra  clothing  taken  with  her  on  her  visit  was  tied  in  a  neat  small 
bundle,  fastened  to  the  saddle  behind  Melville.  Should  they  encounter 
any  sudden  change  in  the  weather,  they  were  within  easy  reach,  while 
the  lad  looked  upon  himself  as  strong  enough  to  make  useless  any 
such  care  for  him. 

Once  or  twice  Melville  stopped  Saladin  and  let  Dot  down  to  the 
ground,  that  she  might  gather  some  of  the  bright  flowers  growing 
by  the  wayside;  and  at  a  spring  of  bubbling  icy-cold  water  both  halted 
and  quaffed  their  fill,  after  which  Saladin  was  allowed  to  push  his 
nose  into  the  clear  fluid  and  do  the  same. 


THE   STORY  OK  RED   FEATHER  7 

Once  more  they  mounted,  and  without  any  occurrence  worth  the 
telling,  reached  the  bank  of  the  stream  at  the  Upper  Crossing.  He 
halted  a  minute  or  two  to  look  around  before  entering  the  water,  for, 
as  you  will  bear  in  mind,  he  had  now  reached  a  spot  which  gave  him 
a  more  extended  view  than  any  yet  passed. 

Their  own  home  was  in  plain  sight,  and  naturally  the  eyes  of  the 
brother  and  sister  were  first  turned  in  that  direction.  It  appeared 
just  as  they  expected.  Moderate  in  size,  built  of  logs  somewhat 
after  the  fashion  on  the  frontier  at  an  earlier  date,  with  outbuildings 
and  abundant  signs  of  thrift,  it  was  an  excellent  type  of  the  home  of 
the  sturdy  American  settler  of  the  present. 

"Oh,  Mel!"  suddenly  exclaimed  Dot,  calling  her  brother  by  the 
name  she  always  used,  "who  is  that  on  horseback ?" 

Dot  pointed  to  a  slight  eminence  between  their  house  and  the 
stream;  and,  shifting  his  glance,  Melville  sawr  an  Indian  horseman 
standing  as  motionless  as  if  he  and  his  animal  were  carved  in  stone. 
He  seemed  to  have  reined  up  on  the  crest  of  the  elevation,  and,  coming 
to  a  halt,  was  doing  the  same  as  the  brother  and  sister — surveying 
his  surroundings. 

His  position  was  midway  between  Melville  and  his  house,  and  his 
horse  faced  the  brother  and  sister.  The  distance  \vas  too  great  to 
distinguish  the  features  of  the  red  man  clearly,  but  the  two  believed 
he  wras  looking  at  them. 

Now,  there  was  nothing  to  cause  special  alarm  in  this  sight,  for  it 
was  a  common  thing  to  meet  Indians  in  that  part  of  the  country, 
where  indeed  many  of  them  may  be  seen  to-day;  but  the  lad  suddenly 
remembered  that  when  looking  in  the  direction  of  his  home  he  had 
failed  to  see  any  signs  of  life,  and  he  was  at  once  filled  with  a  mis- 


8  THE   STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

giving  which  caused  him  to  swallow  a  lump  in  his  throat  before 
answering  the  question — 

"Who  is  it,  Mel?" 

"Some  Indian;  he  is  too  far  off  for  me  to  tell  who  he  is,  and  likely 
enough  we  have  never  seen  him  before. " 

"What's  he  looking  at  us  so  sharply  for  ?" 

"  I'm  not  sure  that  he  is  looking  at  us ;  his  face  seems  to  be  turned 
this  way,  but  he  may  have  his  eyes  on  something  else. " 

"Watch  him!     See  what  he  is  doing!" 

No  need  to  tell  the  lad  to  watch,  for  his  attention  was  fixed  upon 
the  warrior.  Just  as  Dot  spoke  he  made  a  signal  which  the  intelligent 
youth  could  not  comprehend.  He  flung  one  end  of  a  blanket  in  the 
air  slightly  above  and  in  front  of  him,  and,  holding  the  other  part 
in  his  hand,  waved  it  vigorously  several  times. 

That  it  was  intended  for  the  eyes  of  the  brother  and  sister  seemed 
beyond  all  question;  but,  as  I  have  said,  they  did  not  know  what 
it  meant,  for  it  might  have  signified  a  number  of  things.  It  is  a 
practice  with  many  Indians  to  use  such  means  as  a  taunt  to  their 
enemies,  but  they  generally  utter  shouts  and  defiant  cries,  and 
nothing  of  the  kind  was  now  heard. 

Besides  this,  it  was  not  to  be  supposed  that  a  Sioux  warrior  (that, 
no  doubt,  being  the  tribe  of  the  red  man  before  them)  would  indulge 
in  any  such  action  in  the  presence  of  a  single  white  youth  and  small 
girl. 

"I  don't  understand  it,"  said  Melville,  "but  I'll  be  as  polite  as  he. " 

With  which,  he  took  off  his  hat  and  swung  it  above  his  head.  Then, 
seeing  that  the  Indian  had  ceased  waving  his  blanket,  he  replaced 
his  hat,  still  watching  his  movements. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


The  distance  was  too  great  to  distinguish  the  features  of  the  red  man."— Page  7 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  11 

The  next  moment  the  Sioux  wheeled  his  horse,  and  heading  west 
ward,  galloped  off  with  such  speed  that  he  almost  instantly  vanished. 

The  Indian  had  been  gone  less  than  a  minute  when  Melville  spoke 
to  Saladin,  and  he  stepped  into  the  water. 

The  instant  his  hoof  rested  on  dry  land  the  youth  struck  him  into 
a  swift  canter,  which  was  not  checked  until  he  arrived  at  the  house. 
While  yet  some  distance,  the  lad's  fears  were  deepened  by  what  he 
saw,  or  rather  by  what  he  failed  to  see.  Not  a  horse  or  cow  was  in 
sight;  only  the  ducks  and  chickens  were  there,  the  former  waddling 
to  the  water. 

When  Archie  Clarendon  made  his  home  on  that  spot,  a  few  years 
before,  one  of  the  questions  he  had  to  meet  was  as  to  the  best  way  of 
guarding  against  attacks  from  Indians,  for  there  were  plenty  of  them 
in  that  part  of  the  country.  There  are  very  few  red  men  who  will 
not  steal;  and  they  are  so  fond  of  "firewater,"  or  intoxicating  drink, 
that  they  are  likely  to  commit  worse  crimes. 

The  pioneer,  therefore,  built  his  house  much  stronger  than  he 
would  have  done  had  he  waited  several  years  before  putting  it  up. 

It  was  made  of  logs,  strongly  put  together,  and  the  windows  were 
so  narrow  that  no  person,  unless  very  slim,  could  push  his  way  through 
them.  Of  course  the  door  was  heavy,  and  it  could  be  fastened  in 
its  place  so  firmly  that  it  would  have  resisted  the  assault  of  a  strong 
body  of  men. 

By  this  time  Melville,  who  had  galloped  up  to  the  front  and  brought 
his  horse  to  a  halt,  was  almost  sure  that  something  dreadful  had 
happened,  and  he  hesitated  a  moment  before  dismounting  or  lowering 
Dot  to  the  ground,  She  began  twisting  about  in  his  grasp,  saying 
plaintively— 


lie  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

"Let  me  down,  Mel;  I  want  to  see  papa  and  mamma." 

"I  don't  think  they  are  there,"  he  said,  again  swallowing  a  lump 
in  his  throat. 

She  turned  her  head  around  and  looked  wonderingly  up  in  his 
face,  not  knowing  what  he  meant.  He  could  not  explain,  and  he 
allowed  her  to  drop  lightly  on  her  feet. 

"Wait  a  minute,"  he  called,  "till  I  take  a  look  inside." 

In  imagination  he  saw  an  awful  sight.  It  was  that  of  his  beloved 
parents  slain  by  the  cruel  red  men — one  of  whom  had  waved  his 
blanket  tauntingly  at  him  only  a  few  minutes  before. 

He  could  not  bear  that  Dot  should  look  upon  the  scene  that  would 
haunt  her,  as  it  would  haunt  him,  to  her  dying  day.  He  meant  to 
hold  her  back  until  he  could  take  a  look  inside;  but  her  nimble  feet 
carried  her  ahead,  and  she  was  on  the  proch  before  he  could  check  her. 

Saladin  was  a  horse  that  would  stand  without  tying;  and,  paying 
no  heed  to  him,  the  youth  hurried  after  his  sister,  seizing  her  hand 
as  it  was  raised  to  draw  the  string  hanging  outside  the  door. 

"Dot,"  he  said,  "why  do  you  not  obey  me?  You  must  wait 
till  I  first  go  in." 

It  was  not  often  her  big  brother  spoke  so  sternly,  and  there  came 
a  tear  into  each  of  the  bright  eyes,  as  she  stepped  back  and  poutingly 
waited  for  him  to  do  as  he  thought  best. 

Melville  raised  his  hand  to  draw  the  latch,  but  his  heart  failed. 
Stepping  to  one  side,  he  peered  through  the  narrow  window  that 
helped  to  light  up  the  lower  floor. 

The  muslin  curtain  was  partly  drawn,  but  he  was  able  to  see  most 
of  the  interior.  Table,  chairs,  and  furniture  were  all  in  place,  but 
not  a  glimpse  of  a  living  person  was  visible. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


*4  He  peered  through  the  narrow  window." 

The  emotions  of  childhood  are  as  changeable  as  the  shadows  of 
the  flitting  clouds. 

Dot  was  pouting  while  Mel  stood  irresolute  on  the  small  porch,  and 
was  sure  she  would  never,  never  speak  to  the  mean  fellow  again;  but 
the  instant  he  peeped  through  the  narrow  window  she  forgot  every 
thing  else,  and  darted  forward  to  take  her  place  at  his  side,  and  find 
out  what  it  was  that  made  him  act  so  queerly. 

Before  she  reached  him  she  stopped  short  with  the  exclamation — 


"Oh,  Mel!  here's  a  letter  for  you! 


14  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

CHAPTER  TWO 

AN    IMPORTANT   LETTER SHUT    IN 

ASTONISHED    by  the  cry,  young  Clarendon  turned  his  head 
and  looked  at  his  sister,  who  landed  at  his  side  that  moment 
like  a  fairy.     She  was  holding  a  sheet  of  paper  in  her  hand.     It  was 
folded  in  the  form  of  an  envelope,  and  pencilled  on  the  outside  in 
bold  letters  were  the  words— 

"Melville  Clarendon. 

"In  haste;  read  instantly. " 

He  took  the  letter  from  his  sister  and  trembled,  as  if  from  a  chill, 
<5,s  he  hurriedly  unfolded  the  paper  and  read— 

"My  DEAR  MEL, — Leave  at  once!  The  Sioux  have  taken  the 
war-path,  and  a  party  of  their  worst  warriors  from  the  MuddyCreek 
country  have  started  out  on  a  raid.  They  are  sure  to  come  this  way, 
and  I  suppose  the  house  will  be  burned,  and  everything  on  which 
they  can  lay  hands  destroyed.  They  are  under  the  lead  of  the  des 
perate  Red  Feather,  and  will  spare  nothing.  A  friendly  Sioux  stopped 
this  morning  before  daylight  and  warned  me.  I  gathered  the  animals 
together,  and  your  mother  and  I  set  out  for  Barwell  in  all  haste,  driv 
ing  the  beasts  before  us. 

"I  feel  certain  of  either  finding  you  and  Dot  at  my  brother's  in  the 
settlement  or  of  meeting  you  on  the  way,  for  I  suppose,  of  course, 
you  will  follow  the  regular  trail;  but,  at  the  moment  of  starting,  your 
mother  suggests  the  possibility  that  you  may  take  the  upper  route. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


15 


"  He  hurriedly  unfolded  the  paper  and  read." 

To  make  sure,  I  write  this  letter.  If  the  Indians  reach  the  building 
before  you,  they  will  leave  such  traces  of  their  presence  that  you  will 
&»^e  the  alarm.  If  you  arrive  first  and  see  this  note,  re-mount 
Salad  in,  turn  northward,  and  lose  not  a  minute  in  galloping  to  the 
settlement.  None  of  them  can  overtake  you.  Avoid  the  upper  trail, 
where  it  is  much  easier  for  them  to  ambush  you;  keep  as  much  on 
the  open  prairie  as  possible;  see  that  your  weapons  are  loaded;  make 
Saladin  do  his  best;  and  God  be  with  you  and  Darling  Dot. — 

Your  Father." 

The  youth  read  this  important  message  aloud  to  Dot,  wTho  stood 
at  his  side,  looking  wistfully  up  in  his  face.  She  was  too  young  to 
comprehend  fully  its  meaning,  but  she  knew  that  her  parents  had 
left  for  the  settlement,  and  that  her  father  had  ordered  Melville  to 
follow  at  once  with  her. 

"The  bad  Indians  are  coming,"  he  added,  "and  if  we  stay  here 
they  will  shoot  us.  I  don't  think,"  he  said,  glancing  around,  "that 


16  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

they  are  anywhere  near;  but  they  are  likely  to  come  any  minute,  so 
we  won't  wait." 

"Oh,  Mel!"  suddenly  spoke  up  Dot,  "you  know  I  forgot  to  take 
Susie  with  me  when  I  went  away;  can't  I  get  her  now  ?" 

Susie  was  Dot's  pet  doll,  and  the  fact  that  she  left  it  behind  when 
making  her  visit  to  Uncle's  Jack's  had  a  great  deal  more  to  do  with 
her  home-sickness  than  her  friends  suspected.  The  thought  of 
leaving  it  behind  again  almost  broke  her  heart. 

"I  am  sure  mother  took  it  with  her  when  she  went  off  this  morn 
ing,"  replied  Melville,  feeling  a  little  uneasy  over  the  request. 

"I'll  soon  find  out,  said  she,"  stepping  hastily  towards  the  door. 

He  could  not  refuse  her  wish,  for  he  understood  the  depth  of  the 
affection  she  felt  for  the  doll,  whose  dress  was  somewhat  torn,  and 
whose  face  was  not  always  as  clean  as  her  own.  Besides,  it  could 
take  only  a  minute  or  two  to  get  the  plaything,  if  it  had  been  left  in 
the  house.  Although  his  situation  prevented  his  seeing  anything 
in  the  rear  of  the  building,  he  was  sure  the  dreaded  Indians  were  not 
yet  in  sight,  and  he  desired  to  make  a  hasty  survey  of  the  interior  of 
the  house  himself. 

How  familiar  everything  looked!  There  were  the  chairs  placed 
against  the  wall,  and  the  deal  table  in  the  middle  of  the  room. 
Melville  noticed  that  the  pictures  which  had  hung  so  long  on  the 
walls  had  been  taken  away.  They  were  portraits  of  the  members 
of  the  family,  and  the  mother  looked  upon  them  as  too  precious  to  be 
allowed  to  run  any  risk  of  loss.  A  few  other  valuables,  including 
the  old  Bible,  had  been  removed;  but  the  parents  were  too  wise  to 
increase  their  own  danger  by  loading  themselves  with  goods,  however 
much  they  regretted  leaving  them  behind 


THE  STORY  OF  BED  FEATHER  17 

Although  there  was  an  old-fashioned  fire-place,  the  Clarendons 
used  a  large  stove  standing  near  it.  Curiosity  led  Melville  to  examine 
it,  and  he  smiled  to  find  it  still  warm.  The  ashes  within,  when  stirred, 
showed  some  embers  glowing  beneath.  There  was  something  in  the 
fact  which  made  the  youth  feel  as  though  the  distance  between  him 
and  his  parents  had  become  less  than  a  short  time  before. 

"Strange  that  I  took  the  upper  trail,"  he  said  to  himself,  resuming 
his  standing  position,  "and  thereby  missed  them.  It's  the  first  time 
I  have  been  over  that  course  for  a  long  while,  and  it  beats  me  that 
to-day  when  I  shouldn't  have  done  so  I  must  do  it;  but  fortunately 
no  harm  was  done. " 

It  struck  him  that  Dot  was  taking  an  unusually  long  time  in  the 
search  for  her  doll.  Walking  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  he  called  to 
her- 

"It  won't  do  to  wait  any  longer,  Dot;  we  must  be  off.  If  you  can't 
find  your  doll,  it's  because  mother  took  it  with  her." 

"I've  found  it!  I've  found  it!"  she  exclaimed,  dancing  with 
delight;  "I  had  hid  it  in  the  bed,  where  mother  didn't  see  it;  bless 
your  soul,  Susie!" 

And  Melville  laughed  as  he  heard  a  number  of  vigorous  smacks 
which  told  how  much  the  child  loved  her  pet. 

"I  suppose  you  are  happy  now,"  remarked  Melville,  taking  her 
hand,  while  he  held  his  gun  in  the  other,  as  they  walked  towards 
the  door. 

"Indeed  I  am,"  she  replied,  with  that  emphatic  shake  of  the 
head  by  which  children  of  her  years  often  give  force  to  their  words. 

Melville  placed  his  hand  on  the  latch  of  the  door,  and,  raising  it, 
drew  the  structure  inward.  He  had  lowered  his  arm  and  once  more 


18  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

taken  the  hand  of  his  sister,  and  was  in  the  act  of  stepping  outside, 
when  the  sharp  report  of  a  rifle  broke  the  stillness,  and  he  felt  the  whiz 
of  the  bullet,  which  grazed  his  face  and  buried  itself  in  the  wall  behind 
him. 

The  lad  was  quick-witted  enough  to  know  on  the  instant  what  it 
meant;  and,  leaping  back,  he  hastily  closed  the  door,  drew  in  the 
latch-string,  and,  leaning  his  rifle  against  the  side  of  the  room,  slipped 
the  bar  in  place. 

He  had  hardly  done  so  when  there  was  a  shock,  as  if  some  heavy 
body  were  flung  violently  against  it.  Such  was  the  fact,  a  Sioux 
warrior  having  turned  himself  sideways  at  the  moment  of  leaping, 
so  that  his  shoulder  struck  it  with  a  fierce  sufficient  to  carry  a  door 
off  its  hinges. 

"What's  the  matter?"  asked  the  frightened  Dot;  "why  do  you 
fasten  the  door,  Mel?" 

"The  bad  Indians  have  come;  they  are  trying  to  get  into  the  house 
so  as  to  hurt  us. " 

"And  do  they  want  Susie?"  she  asked  Melville, hugging  her  doll 
very  closely  to  her  breast. 

'Yes,  but  we  won't  let  them  have  her.  Keep  away  from  the 
window!"  he  added,  catching  her  arm,  and  drawing  her  back  from 
the  dangerous  position  into  which  her  curiosity  was  leading  her.  "  Sit 
down  there,"  he  said,  pointing  to  one  of  the  chairs  which  was  beyond 
reach  of  any  bullet  that  could  be  fired  through  a  window;  "don't 
stir  unless  I  tell  you  to,  or  the  bad  Indians  will  take  you  and  dolly, 
and  you  will  never  see  father  or  mother  or  me  again." 

This  was  terrible  enough  to  scare  the  little  one  into  the  most  im 
plicit  obedience  of  her  brother.  She  meekly  took  her  seat,  with  Susie 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHE&  10 

still  clasped  in  her  arms,  willing  to  do  anything  to  save  the  precious 
one  from  danger,  and  content  to  leave  everything  to  her  brother. 

The  youth  had  not  time  to  explain  matters  more  fully  to  his  sister, 
nor  would  it  have  been  wise  to  do  so;  she  had  been  told  enough  already 
to  distress  and  render  her  obedient  to  his  wishes. 

Following  the  startling  shock  against  the  door  came  a  voice  from 
the  outside.  The  words  were  in  broken  English,  and  were  uttered 
by  the  Sioux  warrior  that  had  made  the  vain  effort  to  drive  the  struc 
ture  inward. 

"Open  door — open  door,  brudder." 

"I  will  not  open  the  door,"  called  back  Melville. 

"Open  door — Injin  won't  hurt  pale-face — come  in  —  eat  wid 
him." 

"You  cannot  come  in;  we  want  no  visitors.  Go  away,  or  I  will 
shoot  you!" 

This  was  a  brave  threat,  but  it  did  not  do  all  that  the  lad  hoped. 
Whether  the  assailants  knew  how  weak  the  force  was  within  the  house 
the  youth  could  not  say.  He  was  not  without  belief  that  they  might 
think  there  were  several  armed  defenders  who  would  make  an  attack 
or  siege  on  the  part  of  the  Sioux  too  costly  for  them  to  continue  it  long. 

The  first  purpose  of  Melville,  therefore,  was  to  learn  how  strong 
the  force  was  that  had  made  such  a  sudden  attack.  It  was  too 
perilous  to  attempt  to  look  through  one  of  the  four  narrow  windows 
lighting  the  large  room  where  he  stood,  and  which  covered  the  entire 
lower  part  of  the  building,  and  he  decided,  therefore,  to  got  upstairs. 

Before  doing  so,  he  made  Dot  repeat  her  promise  to  sit  still  where 
she  was.  She  assured  him  that  he  need  have  no  fear  whatever,  and 
he  hurriedly  made  his  way  to  the  rooms  above. 


20  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

Advancing  to  one  of  the  windows  at  the  front,  he  peered  out  with 
the  utmost  caution. 

The  first  Indian  whom  he  saw  was  the  very  one  he  dreaded  above 
all  others.  He  recognized  him  at  the  first  glance  by  the  cluster  of 
eagle-feathers  stuck  in  his  crown.  There  were  stained  of  a  crimson 
red,  several  of  the  longer  ones  drooping  behind,  so  as  to  mingle  with 
his  coarse  black  hair  which  streamed  over  his  shoulders. 

This  was  Red  Feather,  one  of  the  most  desperate  Sioux  known  in 
the  history  of  the  border.  Years  before  he  was  a  chief  noted  for  his 
daring  and  detestation  of  the  white  men.  As  the  country  became 
partly  settled  he  acquired  most  of  the  vices  and  few  of  the  virtues  of 
the  white  race.  He  was  fond  of  "firewater,"  was  an  inveterate  thief, 
sullen  and  revengeful,  quarrelsome  at  all  times;  and,  when  under 
the  influence  of  drink,  was  feared  almost  as  much  by  his  own  people 
as  by  the  whites. 

Red  Feather  was  mounted  on  a  fine-looking  horse,  which  there 
is  little  doubt  had  been  stolen  from  some  of  the  settlers  in  that  part 
of  the  country.  He  had  brought  him  to  a  stand  about  a  hundred 
yards  from  the  building,  he  and  the  animal  facing  the  house. 

As  the  Sioux  chieftain  held  this  position  the  lad  was  struck  by 
his  resemblance  to  the  horseman  whom  he  and  Dot  noticed  at  the 
time  they  halted  on  the  other  bank  of  the  stream. 

This  discovery  of  young  Clarendon  suggested  an  explanation  of  the 
sight  which  so  puzzled  him  and  his  sister.  The  chief  had  descried 
them  at  the  same  moment,  if  not  before  they  saw  him.  Inasmuch 
as  the  occupants  of  the  building  were  absent,  he  must  have  thought 
they  had  gone  off  together,  and  he  could  not  have  believed  that,  if 
such  were  the  case,  any  members  of  the  company  would  return-  -the 


THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


"  Red  Feather,  one  of  the  most  desperate  Sioux." — Page  20 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  23 

boy,  therefore,  had  ridden  part  way  back  to  learn  what  was  to  be  fate 
of  the  cabin  and  property  left  behind.  Red  Feather  had  waved  his 
blanket  as  a  taunt,  and  then  rode  off  for  his  warriors,  encamped  near 
by,  with  the  purpose  of  directing  them  in  an  attack  on  the  house. 

It  was  a  most  unfortunate  oversight  that  Melville  did  not  make 
a  survey  of  the  surrounding  country  before  entering  his  own  home, 
for  had  he  done  so,  he  would  have  learned  of  his  peril;  but  you  will 
remember  that  his  first  purpose  was  not  to  enter  his  house,  and  in 
truth  it  was  Susie,  the  little  doll,  that  brought  all  the  trouble. 

The  dismay  caused  by  his  unexpected  imprisonment  was  not 
without  something  in  the  nature  of  relief. 

In  the  first  place,  a  careful  survey  of  his  surroundings  showed 
there  were  only  six  Sioux  warriors  in  the  attacking  party.  All  were 
mounted,  as  a  matter  of  course,  fully  armed,  and  eager  to  massacre 
the  settler  and  his  family.  You  will  say  these  were  enough  to  frighten 
any  lad,  however  brave;  but  you  must  remember  that  Melville  held 
a  strong  position  in  the  house. 

Such  a  fine  horse  as  Saladin  could  not  fail  to  catch  the  eye  of  the 
dusky  scamps,  and  at  the  moment  Red  Feather  fired  his  well-nigh 
fatal  shot  at  the  youth  three  warriors  were  putting  forth  their  utmost 
efforts  to  capture  the  prize. 

But  the  wise  Saladin  showed  no  liking  for  the  red  men,  and  would 
not  permit  any  of  them  to  lay  hands  on  him.  It  was  an  easy  matter 
to  do  this,  for  among  them  all  there  was  not  one  that  could  approach 
him  in  fleetness.  He  suffered  them  to  come  quite  near,  and  then, 
flinging  up  his  head  with  a  defiant  neigh,  sped  beyond  their  reach 
like  an  arrow  darting  from  the  bow. 

Melville's  eyes  kindled. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


"I  am  proud  of  you,  Saladin,"  he  said,  "and  if  I  dared,  I  would 
give  you  a  hurrah." 

He  watched  the  performance  for  several  minutes,  the  rapid  move 
ment  of  the  horses  causing  him  to  shift  his  position  once  or  twice 


"  Saladin  showed  no  liking  for  the  red  men." 

from  one  side  of  the  house  to  the  other.  Finally,  one  of  the  Sioux 
saw  how  idle  their  pursuit  was,  and,  angered  at  being  baffled, 
deliberately  raised  his  rifle  and  fired  at  Saladin. 

Whether  he  hit  the  horse  or  not  Melville  could  not  say,  though 
the  animal  showed  no  signs  of  being  hurt:  but  the  lad  was  so  indignant 
that  he  levelled  his  own  weapon,  and,  pointing  the  muzzle  out  ot 
the  narrow  window,  muttered — 

"If  you  want  to  try  that  kind  of  business,  I'm  willing,  and  I  think 
I  can  make  a  better  shot  than  you  did. " 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


Before,  however,  he  could  be  sure  of  his  aim,  he  was  startled  by 
a  cry  from  Dot  — 

"Come  down  here  quick,  Mel!  A  great  big  Indian  is  getting  in 
the  house  by  the  window! 


M 


CHAPTER  THREE 

CAUGHT   FAST A    FRIEND    IN   NEED 

ELVILLE  Clarendon  was  so  interested  in  the  efforts  of  the 


three  Sioux  to  capture  his  horse,  that  for  a  minute  or  two  he 
forgot  that  Dot  was  below-stairs.  Her  cry,  however,  roused  him  to 
the  situation  and  truth,  and  he  flew  down  the  steps. 

In  fact,  the  little  girl  had  had  a  stirring  time.  While  she  was  too- 
young  to  realize  the  full  danger  of  herself  and.  brother,  she  knew  there 
were  bad  Indians  trying  to  get  into  the  house,  and  the  best  thing  for 
her  to  do  was  to  obey  every  instruction  Melville  gave  to  her. 

It  will  be  recalled  that  Melville  had  a  few  words  of  conversation 
with  one  of  the  Sioux  outside  the  door,  who  asked  to  be  admitted. 
After  the  youth's  refusal,  there  was  silence  for  a  minute  or  two,  and, 
supposing  the  Indian  was  gone,  the  lad  hurried  to  the  upper  story 
to  gain  a  survey  of  his  surroundings. 

But  the  warrior  had  not  left.  After  the  departure  of  Melville  he 
resumed  his  knocking  on  the  door,  but  so  gently  that  no  one  heard 
him  except  Dot.  In  her  innocence  she  forgot  the  warnings  given  to 
her,  and,  sliding  off  her  chair,  stepped  forward,  and  began  shoving 
the  end  of  the  leathern  string  through,  so  that  the  Indian  could  raise 


THE  STORY  OP  RED  FEATHER 


"  Pull  the  string,  and  the  door  will  open." 

the  latch.  She  had  tried  to  raise  it  herself,  but  the  pressure  from 
the  outside  was  so  strong  that  the  friction  prevented. 

"There!"  said  the  little  girl;  "all  you've  got  to  do  is  to  pull  the 
string,  and  the  door  will  open." 

When  the  Indian  saw  the  head  of  the  string  groping  its  way  through 
the  little  hole  in  the  door  like  a  tiny  serpent,  he  grasped  the  end,  and 
gave  it  such  a  smart  jerk  that  the  latch  flew  up. 

But,  fortunately,  it  was  necessary  to  do  more  than  draw  the  latch 
to  open  the  door.  The  massive  bar  was  in  place,  and  the  Sioux, 
most  likely  with  a  suspicion  of  the  truth,  made  no  effort  to  force  the 
structure. 

But  while  he  was  thus  employed  Red  Feather  had  slipped  from 
the  back  of  his  pony  and  approached  the  house.  He  took  the  side 
opposite  to  that  from  which  Melville  was  looking  forth,  so  that  the 
youth  did  not  notice  his  action.  He  saw  the  idleness  of  trying  to  make 
his  way  through  the  door,  and  formed  another  plan. 

With  little  effort  he  raised  the  sash  in  the  narrow  window  on  the 


THE  STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER  & 

right.  About  half-way  to  the  top  was  a  wooden  button  to  hold  the 
lower  sash  in  place  when  raised.  The  occupants  of  the  house  used 
no  care  in  securing  the  windows,  since,  as  I  have  explained,  they 
were  too  narrow  to  allow  any  person,  unless  very  thin  of  figure,  to 
force  his  way  through  them. 

Red  Feather  seemed  to  forget  that  he  had  tried  to  take  the  life  of 
one  of  the  white  persons  only  a  few  minutes  before;  but,  since  no 
return  shot  had  come  from  within  the  building,  he  must  have  con 
cluded  the  defenders  were  panic-stricken,  or  else  he  showed  a  daring 
that  amounted  to  recklessness;  for,  after  raising  the  sash,  he  pushed 
the  curtain  aside,  and  began  carefully  shoving  his  head  through  the 
opening. 

Now,  the  house  being  of  logs,  it  was  necessary  for  the  chieftain  to 
force  his  shoulders  a  slight  distance  to  allow  his  head  fairly  to  enter 
the  room.  This  required  great  care  and  labor,  and  more  risk  on  the 
part  of  the  Sioux  than  he  suspected — since  he  should  have  known 
that  it  is  easier  to  advance  under  such  circumstances  than  to  retreat, 
and,  inasmuch  as  it  was  so  hard  to  push  on,  it  was  likely  to  be  still 
harder  to  retreat. 

Dot  Clarendon,  like  her  brother,  was  so  interested  in  another 
direction  that  she  failed  for  the  time  to  note  that  which  was  of  far 
more  importance. 

But  the  feeling  that  she  and  her  brother  were  in  a  situation  of  great 
danger  became  so  strong  that  she  felt  there  was  only  One  who  could 
save  them,  and,  just  as  she  had  been  taught  from  earliest  infancy, 
she  now  asked  that  One  to  take  care  of  them. 

Sinking  on  her  chubby  knees,  she  folded  her  hands,  shut  her  eyest 
and  poured  out  the  simple  prayer  of  faith  and  love  to  Him  whose  ear 


28  TBE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

is  never  closed  to  the  appeal  of  the  most  helpless.  Her  eyes  were  still 
closed,  and  her  lips  moving,  when  the  noise  made  by  Red  Feather 
in  forcing  himself  through  the  narrow  opening  caused  her  to  stop 
suddenly  and  look  around. 

The  sight  which  met  her  gaze  was  enough  to  startle  the  bravest 
man.  The  head  and  shoulders  of  a  hideous  Sioux  warrior  were 
within  six  feet  of  where  she  was  kneeling.  The  Indian  was  still 
struggling  but,  he  could  get  no  farther,  and,  as  it  was,  he  was  wedged 
very  closely. 

It  must  have  caused  strange  feelings  in  the  heart  of  the  wicked 
savage  when  he  observed  the  tiny  figure  kneeling  on  the  floor,  with 
clasped  hands,  closed  eyes,  upturned  face,  and  murmuring  lips.  It 
is  hard  to  think  there  could  be  any  one  untouched  by  the  sight,  though 
Red  Feather  gave  no  sign  of  such  emotion  at  the  time. 

The  face  of  the  Sioux  was  not  painted,  though  it  is  the  fashion  of 
his  people  to  do  so  when  upon  the  war-trail.  It  could  not  have 
looked  more  frightful  had  it  been  daubed  with  streaks  and  spots,  and 
Dot  was  terrified.  Springing  to  her  feet,  she  recoiled  with  a  gasp, 
and  stared  at  the  dreadful  countenance. 

Red  Feather  beckoned  as  best  he  could  for  the  little  one  to  come 
nigh  him. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Dot  uttered  the  cry  which  brought 
Melville  in  such  haste  from  the  room  above.  He  rushed  down,  loaded 
gun  in  hand,  and  it  is  stating  the  matter  mildly  to  say  that  he  effected 
a  change  in  the  situation.  Startled  by  the  sound  of  the  steps  on  the 
stairs,  Red  Feather  glanced  up  and  saw  the  lad,  his  face  white  with 
anger,  and  a  very  dangerous-looking  rifle  in  his  hand. 

"I'll  teach  you  manners!"  called  out  Melville,  halting  on  reaching 


THE   STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 


"  Poured  out  the  simple  prayer  of  faith  and  love." 

the  floor,  and  bringing  his  weapon  to  a  level;  "such  a  rogue  as  you 
ain't  fit  to  live." 

As  you  may  suppose,  Red  Feather  was  satisfied  that  the  best  thing 
for  him  to  do  was  to  leave  that  place  as  quickly  as  he  knew  how.  He 
began  struggling  fiercely  to  back  out,  and  he  must  have  been  surprised 
when  he  found  he  was  fast,  and  that  the  more  he  strove  to  free  him 
self  the  more  firmly  he  became  wedged  in. 

Seeing  his  predicament,  Melville  advanced  a  couple  of  steps, 
holding  his  weapon  so  that  its  muzzle  was  within  arm's  length  of 
the  terrified  visage  of  the  chieftain. 

"I've  got  you,  Red  Feather!"  said  the  exultant  youth;  "and  the 
best  thing  I  can  do  is  to  shoot  you. " 


30  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

"Oh,  Mel!"  called  Dot,  running  towards  her  brother,  "don't  hurt 
him,  for  that  would  be  wicked." 

I  must  do  Melville  Clarendon  the  justice  to  state  that  he  had  no 
intention  of  shooting  the  Sioux  chieftain  who  was  caught  fast  in  such 
a  curious  way.  Such  an  act  would  have  been  cruel,  though  many 
persons  would  say  it  was  right,  because  Red  Feather  was  trying  to 
slay  both  Melville  and  his  little  sister. 

But  the  youth  could  not  help  enjoying  the  strange  fix  in  which 
the  Indian  was  caught,  and  he  meant  to  make  the  best  use  of  it. 
It  is  not  often  that  an  American  Indian  loses  his  wits  when  in  danger, 
but  Red  Feather,  for  a  few  minutes,  was  under  the  control  of  a  feeling 
such  as  a  soldier  shows  when  stricken  by  panic. 

Had  he  kept  cool,  and  carefully  turned  and  twisted  about  as  re 
quired,  while  slowly  drawing  backward,  he  could  have  released  him 
self  from  the  snare  without  trouble;  but  it  was  his  frantic  effort  which 
defeated  his  own  purpose,  and  forced  him  to  stop,  panting  and  des 
pairing,  with  his  head  still  within  the  room,  and  at  the  mercy  of  the 
youth,  who  seemed  to  lower  his  gun  only  at  the  earnest  pleading  of 
his  little  sister. 

It  was  no  more  than  natural  that  the  Sioux  should  have  felt  certain 
that  his  head  and  shoulders  were  beginning  to  swell,  and  that,  even 
if  the  lad  spared  him,  he  would  never  be  able  to  get  himself  out  of  the 
scrape,  unless  the  side  of  the  house  should  be  first  taken  down. 

It  was  a  time  to  sue  for  mercy,  and  the  desperate,  ugly-tempered 
Red  Feather  was  prompt  to  do  so.  Ceasing  his  efforts,  and  turning 
his  face,  all  aglow  with  cold  perspiration,  towards  the  boy,  who  had 
just  lowered  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  he  tried  to  smile,  though  the 
expression  of  his  countenance  was  anything  but  smiling,  and  said — 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  31 

"Red  Feather  love  white  boy — love  white  girl!" 

It  is  hard  to  restrain  one's  pity  for  another  when  in  actual  distress, 
and  Melville's  heart  was  touched  the  instant  the  words  were  uttered. 

"Sit  down  in  your  chair,"  he  said  gently  to  Dot,  "and  don't  dis 
obey  me  again  by  leaving  it  until  I  tell  you." 

"But  you  won't  hurt  him,  will  you?"  she  pleaded,  half  obeying, 
and  yet  hesitating  until  she  could  receive  his  answer. 

Not  wishing  Red  Feather  to  know  his  decision,  he  stooped  over  and 
whispered  in  her  ear— 

"No,  Dot,  I  will  not  hurt  him;  but  don't  say  anything,  for  I  don't 
want  him  to  know  it  just  yet." 

It  is  more  than  likely  that  the  distressed  Sioux  saw  enough  in  the 
bright  face  to  awaken  hope,  for  he  renewed  his  begging  for  mercy. 

"Red  Feather  love  white  folks — he  been  bad  Injin — he  be  good 
Injin  now — 'cause  he  love  white  folks." 

"Red  Feather,"  said  he,  lowering  his  voice  so  as  not  to  reach  the 
ears  of  tne  other  Sioux,  drawn  to  the  spot  by  the  strange  occurrence; 
"you  do  not  deserve  mercy,  for  you  came  to  kill  me  and  all  my  folk. 
There!  don't  deny  it,  for  you  speak  with  a  double  tongue.  But  she 
has  asKed  me  to  spare  you,  and  perhaps  I  will.  If  I  keep  away  all 
harm  irom  you,  what  will  you  do  for  us  ?" 

"Love  white  folks — Red  Feather  go  away — won't  hurt — bring 
game  to  his  brother." 

Having  rested  a  few  minutes,  the  Sioux  began  wriggling  desperately 
again,  hoping  to  free  himself  by  sheer  strength;  but  he  could  not 
budge  his  head  and  shoulders  from  their  vice-like  imprisonment, 
and  something  like  despair  must  have  settled  over  him  when  all 
doubt  that  he  was  swelling  fast  was  removed. 


S3  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

It  was  at  the  same  instant  that  two  of  the  warriors  on  the  outside, 
seeing  the  hapless  position  of  their  chief,  seized  his  feet,  and  began 
tugging  with  all  their  power. 

They  quickly  let  go,  however;  for  the  impatient  sachem  delivered 
such  a  vigorous  kick  that  both  went  over  backward,  with  their  feet 
pointed  towards  the  clouds. 

"Red  Feather,"  said  Melville,  standing  close  enough  to  the  hapless 
prisoner  to  touch  him  with  his  hand,  "  if  I  help  you  out  of  that  place 
and  do  not  hurt  you,  will  you  and  your  warriors  go  away  ?" 

The  Sioux  nodded  so  vigorously  that  he  struck  his  chin  against 
the  wood  hard  enough  to  cause  him  some  pain. 

"Me  go  away — all  Sioux  go  away — neber  come  here  'gin — don't 
hurt  nuffin — hurry  way. " 

"And  you  will  not  come  back  to  harm  us  ?' 

"Neber  come  back — stay  way — love  white  folks." 

"I  don't  believe  you  will  ever  love  them,  and  I  don't  ask  you  to 
do  so;  but  you  know  that  my  father  and  mother  and  I  have  always 
treated  your  people  kindly,  and  they  have  no  reason  to  hurt  us." 

"Dat  so — dat  so — Red  Feather  love  fader,  love  moder,  love  son, 
love  pappoose  of  white  folks. " 

;<You  see  how  easy  it  would  be  for  me  to  shoot  you  where  you  are 
now  without  any  risk  to  myself,  but  I  shall  not  hurt  you.  I  will  help 
to  get  your  head  and  shoulders  loose;  but  I  am  afraid  that  when  you 
mount  your  horse  again  and  ride  out  on  the  prairie  you  will  forget 
all  you  promised  me." 

"Neber,  neber,  neber!"  replied  the  chieftain,  with  all  the  energy 
at  his  command. 

'You  will  think  that  you  know  enough  never  to  run  your  head 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


83 


Oh,  Mel!"  called  Dot  "don't  hurt  him."— Page 30 


THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  8,5 

into  that  window  again,  and  you  wrill  want  to  set  fire  to  the  house 
and  tomahawk  us." 

The  Sioux  looked  as  if  he  was  deeply  pained  at  this  distrust  of  his 
honorable  intentions,  and  he  seemed  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  say 
to  restore  himself  to  the  good  graces  of  his  youthful  master. 

"You  are  sure  you  won't  forget  your  promise,  Red  Feather  ?" 

"Red  Feather  Sioux  chief — he  neber  tell  lie — he  speak  wid  single 
tongue — he  love  white  folks." 

"  I  counted  five  warriors  with  you ;  are  they  all  you  have  ?  " 

"Dey  all — hab  no  more." 

Melville  believed  the  Indian  spoke  the  truth. 

"Where  are  the  rest?" 

"  Go  down  oder  side  Muddy  Riber — won't  come  here. " 

Melville  was  inclined  to  credit  this  statement  also.  If  Red  Feather 
spoke  the  truth,  the  rest  of  his  band,  numbering  fully  a  score,  were 
twenty  miles  distant,  and  were  not  likely  to  appear  in  that  part  of 
the  country.  Such  raids  as  that  on  which  they  were  engaged  must 
of  necessity  he  pushed  hard  and  fast.  Even  if  the  settlers  do  not 
instantly  rally,  the  American  cavalry  are  quite  sure  to  follow  them, 
and  the  Indians  have  no  time  to  loiter.  The  rest  of  the  band,  if  a 
score  of  miles  away,  were  likely  to  have  their  hands  full  without 
riding  thus  far  out  of  their  course. 

"Well,"  said  Melville,  after  a  moment's  thought,  as  if  still  in  doubt 
as  to  what  he  ought  to  do,  "I  shall  not  hurt  you — more  than  that, 
I  will  help  you  to  free  yourself. " 

He  leaned  his  gun  against  the  table  near  him,  and  stepped  forward 
and  placed  his  hands  on  the  head  and  shoulders  of  the  suffering 
prisoner. 


36  THE   STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

"Oogh!"  grunted  Red  Feather;  "grow    bigger — swell   up   fast— 
bime-by  Red  Feather  get  so  big,  he  die." 

"I  don't  think  it  is  as  bad  as  that,"  remarked  Melville,  unable  <,o 
repress  a  smile,  " but  it  will  take  some  work  to  get  you  loose." 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

THE    CONSULTATION ON   THE   ROOF 

MELVILLE  now  examined  the  fix  of  the  chieftain  more  closely. 
His  struggles  had  hurt  the  skin  about  his  neck  and  shoulders, 
and  there  could  be  no  doubt  he  was  suffering  considerably. 

Clasping  the  dusky  head  with  his  hands,  the  youth  turned  it  gently, 
so  that  it  offered  the  least  possible  resistance.  Then  he  asked  him 
to  move  his  shoulder  slightly  to  the  left,  and,  while  Melville  pushed 
carefully  but  strongly,  told  him  to  exert  himself,  not  hastily  but  slowly, 
and  with  all  the  power  at  his  command. 

Resting  a  minute  or  two,  the  attempt  was  renewed  and  this  time 
Red  Feather  succeeded  in  withdrawing  for  an  inch  or  two,  though 
the  effort  plainly  caused  him  pain. 

"That's  right,"  added  Melville,  encouragingly;  "we  shall  succeed 
— try  it  again." 

There  was  a  vigorous  scraping,  tugging,  and  pulling,  and  all  at 
once  the  head  and  shoulders  vainshed  through  the  window.  Red 
Feather  was  released  from  the  vice. 

"There,  I  knew  you  would  be  all  right!"  called  the  lad  through 
the  opening.  "  Good-bye,  Red  Feather. " 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  87 

The  chief  must  have  been  not  only  confused  and  bewildered,  but 
chagrined  by  the  exhibition  made  before  the  lad  and  his  own  warriors, 
who,  had  they  possessed  any  sense  of  humor,  would  have  laughed 
at  the  sorry  plight  of  their  leader. 

Stepping  back  from  the  window,  so  as  not  to  tempt  any  shot  from 
the  other  Sioux,  all  of  whom  had  gathered  about  the  chief,  Melville 
found  himself  in  a  dilemma. 

"Shall  I  take  Red  Feather  at  his  word?"  he  asked  himself;  "shall 
I  open  the  door  and  walk  out  with  Dot,  mount  Saladin  and  gallop 
off  to  Barwell,  or — wait?" 

There  is  little  doubt,  from  what  followed,  that  the  former  would 
have  been  the  wiser  course  of  the  youth.  Despite  the  treacherous 
character  of  the  Sioux  leader,  he  was  so  relieved  by  his  release  from 
what  he  felt  at  the  time  was  a  fatal  snare,  and  by  the  kindness  received 
from  the  boy,  that  his  heart  was  stirred  by  something  akin  to  gratitude, 
and  he  would  have  restrained  his  warriors  from  violence. 

Had  Melville  been  alone,  he  would  not  have  hesistated;  but  h  » 
was  irresolute  on  account  of  Dot.  Looking  down  in  her  sweet 
trustful  face,  his  heart  misgave  him;  he  felt  that,  so  long  as  she  was 
with  him,  he  could  assume  no  risks.  He  was  comparatively  safe 
for  a  time  in  the  building,  while  there  was  no  saying  what  would 
follow  if  he  should  place  himself  and  Dot  in  the  power  of  Indians 
that  had  set  out  to  destroy  and  slay. 

Besides,  if  Red  Feather  meant  to  keep  his  promise  he  could  do  so 
without  involving  the  brother  and  sister  in  the  least  danger.  He  had 
only  to  ride  off  with  his  warriors,  when  Melville  would  walk  forth, 
call  Saladin  to  him,  mount,  and  ride  away. 

"If  he  is  honest,"  was  his  decision,  "he  will  do  that;  I  will  wait 


38  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

until  they  are  only  a  short  distance  off,  and  then  will  gallop  to  the 
settlement. " 

"Come,"  said  he,  taking  the  hand  of  Dot,  "let's  go  up-stairs." 

"Why  don't  you  stay  down  here,  Mel  ?" 

"  Well,  I  am  afraid  to  leave  you  alone  because  you  are  so  apt  to 
forget  your  promises  to  me;  and  since  I  want  to  go  up-*' airs  I  must 
take  you  with  me." 

She  made  no  objection,  and  holding  Susie  clasped  by  one  arm,  she 
placed  the  other  hand  in  her  brother's,  and,  side  by  side,  the  two  walked 
up  the  steps  to  the  larger  room,  occupied  by  their  parents  whep  °* 
home. 

"Now,"  said  Melville,  speaking  with  great  seriousness,  "you  must 
do  just  as  I  tell  you,  Dot;  for  it  you  don't  the  bad  Indians  will  surely 
hurt  you,  and  you  will  never  see  Susie  again. " 

She  gave  her  pledge  writh  such  earnestness  that  he  could  depend 
upon  her  from  that  time  forward. 

"You  must  not  go  near  the  window  unless  I  tell  you  to  do  so:  the 
reason  for  that  is  that  some  of  the  Indians  will  see  you,  and  they  will 
fire  their  guns  at  you.  If  the  bullet  does  not  strike  Dot  and  kill  her. 
it  will  hit  Susie,  and  that  will  be  the  last  of  her.  The  best  thing  you 
can  do  is  to  lie  down  on  the  bed  and  rest." 

Dot  obeyed  cheerfully,  reclining  on  the  couch,  with  her  round  plump 
face  against  the  pillow,  where  a  few  minutes  later  she  sank  into  a  sweet 
sleep.  Poor  child !  little  did  she  dream  of  what  was  yet  to  come. 

She  was  safe  so  long  as  she  remained  thus,  since,  though  a  bullet 
fired  through  any  one  of  the  windows  must  cross  the  room,  it  would 
pass  above  the  bed,  missing  her  by  several  feet. 

Relieved  of  all  present  anxiety  concerning  her,  Melville  now  gave 


THE   STORY   OF  RED   FEATHER 


7 


The  chief  and  his  five  followers  had  re-mounted  their  ponies." — Page  41 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  41 

his  attention  to  Red  Feather  and  his  warriors.  That  which  he  saw 
was  not  calculated  to  add  to  his  peace  of  mind. 

The  chief  and  his  five  followers  had  re-mounted  their  ponies,  and 
ridden  to  a  point  some  two  hundred  yards  distant  on  the  prairie, 
where  they  halted,  as  if  for  consultation.. 

"  Just  what  I  feared, "  said  the  youth,  feeling  it  safe  to  stand  before 
the  upper  window  and  watch  every  movement;  "Red  Feather  has 
already  begun  to  repent  of  his  pledge  to  me,  and  his  warriors  are 
trying  to  persuade  him  to  break  his  promise.  I  don't  believe  they 
will  find  it  hard  work  to  change  his  mind. " 

But  whatever  was  said,  it  was  plain  that  the  Sioux  were  much  in 
earnest.  All  were  talking,  and  their  arms  swung  about  their  heads, 
and  they  nodded  with  a  vigor  that  left  no  doubt  all  were  taking  part 
in  the  dispute,  and  each  one  meant  what  he  said. 

"Where  there  is  so  much  wrangling,  it  looks  as  if  some  were  in 
favor  of  letting  us  alone,"  thought  Melville,  who  added  the  next 
minute — "I  don't  know  that  that  follows,  for  it  may  be  they  are 
quarrelling  over  the  best  plan  of  slaying  us,  with  no  thought  on  the 
part  of  any  one  that  they  are  bound  in  honor  to  spare  us. " 

By-and-by  the  ponies,  which  kept  moving  uneasily  about,  took 
position  so  that  the  heads  of  all  were  turned  fully  or  partly  towards 
the  building,  from  which  the  lad  was  attentively  watching  their 
movements. 

During  these  exciting  moments  Melville  did  not  forget  Saladin, 
The  sagacious  animal,  being  no  longer  troubled  by  those  that  were 
so  anxious  to  steal  him,  had  halted  at  a  distance  of  an  eighth  of  a  mile, 
where  he  was  eating  the  grass  as  though  there  was  nothing  unusual 
in  his  surroundings. 


42  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

"I  hope  you  will  be  wise  enough,  old  fellow,"  muttered  his  young 
master,  "to  keep  them  at  a  distance;  that  shot  couldn't  have  hit  you, 
or,  if  it  did,  it  caused  nothing  more  than  a  scratch." 

The  horse's  wisdom  was  tested  the  next  minute.  One  of  the 
warriors  withdrew  from  the  group,  and  began  riding  at  a  gallop  to 
wards  Saladin.  As  he  drew  near  he  brought  his  pony  down  to  a  walk, 
and  evidently  hoped  to  calm  the  other's  fears  sufficiently  to  permit 
a  still  closer  approach. 

Melville's  heart  throbbed  painfully  as  the  distance  lessened,  and 
he  began  to  believe  he  was  to  lose  his  priceless  animal  after  all. 

" Why  didn't  I  think  of  it?"  he  asked  himself ,  placing  his  finger 
in  his  mouth,  and  emitting  a  shrill  whistle  that  could  have  been  heard 
a  mile  distant. 

It  was  a  signal  with  which  Saladin  was  familiar.  He  instantly 
raised  his  head  and  looked  towards  the  house.  As  he  did  so  he  saw 
one  of  his  mounted  enemies  slowly  approaching,  and  within  a  dozen 
rods.  It  was  enough,  and  breaking  into  a  gallop,  he  quickly  ended 
all  hope  of  his  capture  by  that  Sioux  brave. 

That  signal  of  Melville  Clarendon  had  also  been  heard  by  all  the 
Sioux,  who  must  have  thought  it  was  due  to  that  alone  that  the 
warrior  failed  to  secure  the  valuable  animal.  The  youth  saw  the 
group  looking  inquiringly  at  the  house,  as  if  to  learn  from  what  point 
the  sound  came,  and  the  expression  on  the  dark  faces  was  anything 
but  pleasing  to  him. 

He  wished  to  give  Red  Feather  credit  for  the  delay  on  the  part  of 
the  Sioux.  Their  actions  showed  they  were  hotly  disputing  over 
something,  and  what  more  likely  than  that  it  was  the  question  of 
assailing  the  house  and  outbuildings  ? 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  43 

But  there  were  several  facts  against  this  theory.  Red  Feather  held 
such  despotic  sway  over  his  followers  that  it  was  hard  to  understand 
what  cause  could  arise  for  any  dispute  with  them  about  the  disposal 
to  be  made  of  the  brother  and  sister.  If  he  desired  to  leave  them 
alone,  what  was  to  prevent  him  riding  off  and  obliging  every  one 
of  his  warriors  to  go  with  him  ? 

This  was  the  question  which  Melville  continually  asked  himself, 
and  which  he  could  not  answer  as  he  wished,  being  unable  to  drive 
away  the  belief  that  the  chief  was  acting  a  double  part. 

The  Sioux  had  reached  some  decision;  for,  on  the  return  of  the 
one  who  failed  to  secure  Saladin,  they  ceased  disputing,  and  rode 
towards  the  window  from  which  Melville  was  watching  them. 

Their  ponies  were  on  a  slow  walk,  and  the  expression  on  their 
forbidding  faces  was  plainly  seen  as  their  eyes  ranged  over  the  front 
of  the  building.  The  youth  had  withdrawn,  so  as  to  stand  out  of 
range;  but,  to  end  the  doubt  in  his  mind,  he  now  stepped  out  in  full 
view  of  every  one  of  the  warriors. 


Melville  had  warning  enough  to  leap  back." 


44  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

The  doubt  was  removed  at  once.  Previous  to  this  the  lad  had 
raised  the  lower  sash,  so  as  to  give  him  the  chance  to  fire,  and  as  he 
stood,  his  waist  and  shoulders  were  in  front  of  the  upper  part  of  the 
glass.  It  so  happened  that  Red  Feather  and  one  of  his  warriors 


11  He  pointed  his* own  weapon  outward,  and  fired." 

were  looking  at  the  very  window  at  which  he  appeared.  Like  a 
flash  both  guns  went  to  their  shoulders  and  were  discharged. 

But  Melville  had  enough  warning  to  leap  back,  as  the  jingle  and 
crash  of  glass  showed  how  well  the  miscreants  had  aimed.  Stirred 
to  the  deepest  anger,  he  pointed  his  own  weapon  outward  and  fired 
into  the  party,  doing  so  with  such  haste  that  he  really  took  no  aim 
at  all. 

It  is  not  likely  that  his  bullet  had  gone  anywhere  near  the  Sioux, 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  45 

but  it  had  served  the  purpose  of  warning  them  that  h*?  was  as  much 
in  earnest  as  themselves. 

Melville  placed  a  cartridge  in  the  breech  of  his  rifle  with  as  much 
coolness  as  a  veteran,  and  prepared  himself  for  what  he  believed  - 
was  to  be  a  desperate  defence  of  himself  and  sister. 

It  must  not  be  thought  that  he  was  in  despair;  for,  when  he  came 
to  look  over  the  situation,  he  found  much  to  encourage  him.  In 
the  first  place,  although  besieged  by  a  half-dozen  fierce  Sioux,  he  was 
sure  the  siege  could  not  last  long.  Whatever  they  did  must  be  done 
within  a  few  hours. 

While  it  was  impossible  to  tell  the  hour  when  his  parents  started 
from  Barwell,  it  must  have  been  quite  early  in  the  morning,  and 
there  was  every  reason  to  hope  they  would  reach  the  settlement  by 
noon  at  the  latest.  The  moment  they  did  so  they  would  learn  that 
Melville  had  left  long  before  for  home,  and  therefore  had  taken  the 
upper  trail,  since,  had  he  not  done  so,  the  parties  would  have  met 
on  the  road. 

True,  Mr.  Clarendon  would  feel  strong  hope  that  his  son,  being 
so  well  mounted,  would  wheel  about  and  follow  without  delay  the 
counsel  in  the  letter;  but  he  was  too  shrewd  to  rely  fully  on  such 
hope.  What  could  be  more  certain  than  that  he  would  instantly 
gather  a  party  of  friends  and  set  out  to  their  relief  ? 

The  great  dread  of  the  youth  was  that  the  Sioux  would  set  fire  to 
the  buildings,  and  he  wondered  many  times  that  this  was  not  done  at 
the  time  Red  Feather  learned  of  the  flight  of  the  family. 

Melville  glanced  at  Dot,  and,  seeing  she  was  asleep,  he  decided  to 
go  downstairs  and  make  a  fuller  examination  of  the  means  of  defence. 

"Everything  seems  to  be  as  secure  as  it  can  be,"  he  said,  standing 


46  THE  STORY   OF  RED   FEATHER 

in  the  middle  of  the  room  and  looking  around;  "that  door  has  already 
been  tried,  and  found  not  wanting.  The  only  other  means  of  entrance 
is  through  the  windows,  and  after  Red  Feather's  experience  I  am 
sure  neither  he  nor  any  of  his  warriors  will  try  that. " 

There  were  four  windows — two  at  the  front  and  two  at  the  rear — 
all  of  the  same  shape  and  size.  There  was  but  the  single  door,  of 
which  so  much  has  already  been  said,  and  therefore  the  lower  portion 
of  the  building  could  not  be  made  safer. 

The  stone  chimney,  so  broad  at  the  base  that  it  was  more  than  half 
as  wide  as  the  side  of  the  outside  wall,  wTas  built  of  stone,  and  rose 
a  half-dozen  feet  above  the  roof.  It  was  almost  entirely  out  of 
doors,  but  was  solid  and  strong. 

"If  the  Indians  were  not  such  lazy  people,"  said  Melville — looking 
earnestly  at  the  broad  fire-place,  in  front  of  which  stood  the  new- 
fashioned  stove — "they  might  set  to  work  and  take  down  the  chimney, 
but  I  don't  think  there  is  much  danger  of  that." 

He  had  hardly  given  expression  to  the  thought  when  he  fancied 
he  heard  a  slight  noise  on  the  outside,  and  close  to  the  chimney  itself. 
He  stepped  forward,  and  held  his  ear  to  the  stones  composing  the 
walls  of  the  fire-place. 

Still  the  sounds  were  faint,  and  he  then  touched  his  ear  against 
them,  knowing  that  solid  substances  are  much  better  conductors  of 
sound  than  air.  He  now  detected  the  noise  more  plainly,  but  it  was 
still  so  faint  that  he  could  not  identify  it. 

He  was  still  striving  hard  to  do  so  when,  to  his  amazement,  Dot 
called  him  from  above-stairs— 

64  Where  are  you,  Mel  ?  Is  that  you  that  I  can  hear  crawling  about 
over  the  roof?" 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  47 


CHAPTER  FIVE 

A   STRANGE   VISIT  —  OMINOUS   SIGNS 

MELVILLE  Clarendon  went  up  the  short  stairs  three  steps  at 
a  time,  startled  as  much  by  the  call  of  his  sister  as  by  any 
thing  that  had  taken  place  since  the  siege  of  the  cabin  began. 

As  he  entered  the  room  he  saw  Dot  sitting  up  in  bed,  and  staring 
wonderingly  at  the  shivered  window-glass,  particles  of  which  lay 
all  around. 

"Oh,  Mel!"  said  she,  "papa  will  scold  you  for  doing  that;  how 
came  you  to  do  it?" 

"  It  was  the  bad  Indians  who  fired  through  the  window  at  me,  and 
I  fired  at  them :  you  were  sleeping  so  soundly  that  you  only  half  awoke ; 
but  you  must  keep  still  a  few  minutes  longer." 

"I  thought  that  was  you  on  the  roof,"  she  added,  in  a  lower  voice. 

That  there  was  someone  overhead  was  certain.  The  rasping  sound 
of  a  person  moving  carefully  along  the  peak  of  the  roof  was  audible. 
The  lad  understood  *he  meaning  of  that  which  puzzled  him  when  on 
the  lower  floor :  one  of  the  warriors  was  carefully  climbing  the  chimney 
—a  task  not  difficult,  because  of  its  rough  uneven  formation. 

The  significance  of  such  a  strange  act  remained  to  be  seen.  It 
appeared  unlikely  that  any  of  the  Sioux  were  daring  enough  to  at 
tempt  a  descent  of  the  chimney ;  but  that  such  was  really  his  purpose 
became  clear  within  the  following  minute. 

The  Indian,  after  making  his  way  a  short  distance  along  the  peak, 
returned  to  the  chimney,  where,  from  the  noises  which  reached  the 


48  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

listening  ones,  it  was  manifest  that  he  was  actually  making  his  way 
down  the  flue,  broad  enough  to  admit  the  passage  of  a  larger  body 
than  himself. 

"I  won't  be  caught  foul  this  time,"  said  Melville,  turning  to  des 
cend  the  stairs  again;  "Dot,  stay  right  where  you  are  on  the  bed  till 
I  come  back  or  call  to  you. 

She  promised  to  obey,  and  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  she  would 
do  so. 

"They  must  think  I'm  stupid,"  muttered  the  youth,  taking  his 
position  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  with  his  rifle  cocked  and  ready 
for  instant  use;  "but  they  will  find  out  the  idiot  is  some  one  else." 

He  had  not  long  to  wait  when  in  the  large  open  space  at  the  back 
of  the  stove  appeared  a  pair  of  moccasins  groping  vaguely  about  for 
support.  The  pipe  from  the  stove,  instead  of  passing  directly  up 
the  chimney,  entered  it  by  means  of  an  elbow.  Had  it  been  other 
wise,  the  daring  warrior  would  have  found  himself  in  a  bad  fix  on 
arriving  at  the  bottom. 

It  would  have  been  idle  for  the  young  man  standing  on  the  watch 
to  fire  at  the  feet  or  legs,  and  he  waited  an  instant,  when  the  Indian 
dropped  lightly  on  his  feet,  and,  without  the  least  hesitation,  stepped 
forward  in  the  apartment  and  confronted  Melville. 

The  latter  was  dumbfounded,  for  the  first  glance  at  his  face  showea 
that  he  was  the  chieftain  Red  Feather,  the  Indian  whom  of  all  others 
he  least  expected  to  see. 

The  act  of  the  savage  was  without  any  possible  explanation  to 
the  astonished  youth,  who,  recoiling  a  step,  stared  at  him,  and  uttered 
the  single  exclamation — 

"Red  Feather!" 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  49 

"Howly  do,  broder  ?"  was  the  salutation  of  the  Sioux,  whose  dusky 
face  showed  just  the  faintest  smile. 

Red  Feather's  descent  of  the  chimney  had  not  been  without  some 
disagreeable  features.  His  blanket  and  garments,  never  very  tidy, 
were  covered  with  soot,  enough  of  which  had  got  on  his  face  to  suggest 
that  he  had  adopted  the  usual  means  of  his  people  to  show  they  were 
on  the  war-path. 


"  A  pair  of  moccasins  groping  vaguely  about  for  support." 

His  knife  and  tomahawk  were  thrust  in  his  girdle  at  his  waist,  and 
throughout  this  laborious  task  he  had  held  his  rifle  fast,  so  that  he 
was  fully  armed. 

"Howly  do?"  he  repeated,  extending  his  hand,  which  Melville 
was  too- prudent  to  accept. 

"No,"  he  replied,  compressing  his  lips,  and  keeping  his  finger 
on  the  trigger  of  his  gun,  "Red  Feather  speaks  with  a  double  tongue; 
he  is  not  our  friend. " 

"Red  Feather  been  bad  Injin — want  white  folks'  scalp— don't 
want  'em  now — little  pappoose  pray  to  Great  Spirit — dat  make  Red 


50  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

Feather  feel  bad — he  hab  papoose — he  lub  Injin  pappoose — lub  white 
pappoose — much  lub  white  pappoose." 

This  remark  shed  light  upon  the  singular  incident.  To  Melville 
it  was  a  mystery  beyond  understanding  that  any  person  could  look 
upon  the  sweet  innocent  face  of  Dot  without  loving  her.  Knowing 
how  vile  an  Indian  Red  Feather  had  been,  it  was  yet  a  question  with 
the  youth  whether  he  could  find  it  in  his  heart  to  wish  ill  to  his  wee  bit 
of  a  sister. 

Was  it  unreasonable,  therefore,  to  believe  that  this  savage  warrior 
had  been  touched  by  the  sight  of  the  little  one  on  her  knees,  with  her 
hands  clasped  in  prayer,  and  by  her  eagerness  to  keep  away  all  harm 
from  him  ? 

This  theory  helped  to  explain  what  took  place  after  the  release  of 
Red  Feather  from  his  odd  imprisonment.  The  five  wrarriors  whom 
he  had  brought  with  him  upon  his  raid  must  have  combated  his 
proposal  to  leave  the  children  unharmed.  In  the  face  of  his  savage 
overbearing  disposition  they  had  fought  his  wish  to  keep  the  pledge 
to  them,  while  he  as  firmly  insisted  upon  its  fulfilment. 

But  if  such  were  the  fact,  how  could  his  descent  of  the  chimney 
be  explained  ? 

Melville  did  not  try  to  explain  it,  for  he  had  no  time  just  then  to 
speculate  upon  it;  the  explanation  would  come  shortly. 

The  youth,  however,  was  too  wise  to  act  upon  that  wrhich  he  hoped 
was  the  truth.  He  had  retreated  nearly  to  the  other  side  of  the 
room,  where  he  maintained  the  same  defiant  attitude  as  at  first. 

Red  Feather  read  the  distrust  in  his  face  and  manner.  With  a 
deliberation  that  was  not  lacking  in  dignity,  he  walked  slowly  to  the 
corner  of  the  apartment,  Melville  closely  following  him  with  his  eye, 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  51 

and  leaned  his  gun  against  the  logs.  Then  he  drew  his  knife  and 
tomahawk  from  his  girdle,  and  threw  them  on  the  floor  beside  the 
more  valuable  weapon.  That  done,  he  moved  back  to  the  fire-place, 
folded  his  arms,  and,  fixing  his  black  eyes  on  the  countenance  of 
the  lad,  repeated —  "Red  Feather  friend  of  white  folk." 

"I  believe  you,"  responded  Melville,  carefully  letting  down  the 
hammer  of  his  rifle  and  resting  the  stock  on  the  floor;  "now  I  am  glad 
to  shake  hands  with  you. " 

A  broader  smile  than  before  lit  up  the  dusky  face  as  the  chief 
warmly  pressed  the  hand  of  the  youth,  who  felt  just  a  little  trepidation 
when  their  palms  met. 

"Where  pappoose?"  asked  Red  Feather,  looking  suggestively  at 
the  steps  leading  to  the  upper  story. 

"Dot!"  called  Melville,  '"come  down  here;  someone  wants  to 
see  you." 

The  patter  of  feet  was  heard,  and  the  next  instant  the  little  one 
came  tripping  downstairs,  with  her  doll  clasped  by  one  arm  to  her 
breast. 

"  Red  Feather  is  a  good  Indian  now,  and  he  wants  to  shake  hands 
with  you. " 

With  a  faint  blush  and  a  sweet  smile  Dot  ran  across  the  floor  and 
held  out  her  tiny  hand.  The  chieftain  stooped,  and  not  only  took 
the  palm  of  the  little  girl,  but  placed  each  of  his  own  under  her  shoul 
ders  and  lifted  her  from  the  floor.  Straightening  up,  he  touched  his 
dusky  lips  to  those  of  the  innocent  one,  murmuring,  with  a  depth 
of  emotion  which  cannot  be  described — 

"Red  Feather  lub  white  pappoose — she  make  him  good  Injin — 
he  be  her  friend  always. " 


54  THE  STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

The  chieftain  touched  his  lips  but  once  to  those  of  the  little  one, 
who  showed  no  hesitation  in  accepting  the  salute.  Pure,  innocent, 
and  good  herself,  she  had  not  yet  learned  how  evil  the  human  heart 
may  become. 

Not  only  did  she  receive  the  salute  willingly,  but  threw  her  free 
arm  around  the  neck  of  the  Indian  and  gave  him  a  kiss. 

"Red  Feather,  what  made  you  come  down  the  chimney?"  ques 
tioned  Melville  when  the  Indian  had  released  his  sister. 

"Can't  come  oder  way,"  was  the  instant  response. 

"True;  but  why  do  you  want  to  enter  this  house  ?" 

"  Be  friend  of  white  folk — come  tell  'em. " 

" I  am  sure  of  that;  but  what  can  you  do  for  us  ?" 

Red  Feather  gave  no  direct  answer  to  this  question,  but  walked 
upstairs.  As  he  did  so  he  left  every  one  of  his  weapons  on  the  lower 
floor,  and  by  a  glance  cast  over  his  shoulder  ex  pressed  the  wish  that 
the  brother  and  sister  should  follow  him.  They  did  so,  Dot  tripping 
ahead,  while  Melville  retained  his  weapons. 

Reaching  the  upper  floor,  the  Sioux  walked  directly  to  the  window 
through  which  the  shots  had  come  that  shattered  the  two  panes  of 
glass. 

There  was  a  curious  smile  on  his  swarthy  face  as  he  pointed  at 
the  pane  on  the  left,  and  said— 

"Red  Feather  fire  datT 

The   explanation  of  his  remark  was  that  had  Melville  kept  his 
place  in  front  of  the  window  at  the  moment  the  rifles  were  discharged, 
only  one  of  the  bullets  would  have  hit  him,  and  that  would  have  been 
the  one  which  Red  Feather  did  not  fire. 

The  shot  which  he  sent  into  the  apartment,  and  which  filled  the 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


53 


'She  make  Kim  good  Injin— he  be  her  friend  always.'"— Page  51 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  55 

youth  with  so  much  indignation,  had  been  fired  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  other  warriors  believe  the  chieftain  was  as  bitter  an  enemy 
of  the  brother  and  sister  as  he  was  of  all  white  people. 

Having  convinced  his  followers  on  this  point,  he  made  his  position 
still  stronger  with  them  by  declaring  his  purpose  of  descending  the 
chimney,  and  having  it  out  with  them,  or  rather  with  the  lad,  within 
the  building. 

Red  Feather  peered  out  of  the  window,  taking  care  that  none  of 
his  warriors  saw  him,  though  they  must  have  felt  a  strong  curiosity 
to  learn  the  result  of  his  strange  effort  to  overcome  the  little  garrison. 
Melville  supposed  that  he  had  arranged  to  communicate  with  them 
by  signal,  for  the  result  of  the  attempt  must  be  settled  quickly. 

The  youth  took  the  liberty  of  peeping  forth  from  the  other  window 
on  the  same  side  of  the  house. 

Only  two  of  the  Sioux  were  in  their  field  of  vision,  and  their  actions 
did  not  show  that  they  felt  much  concern  for  their  chief.  They  were 
mounted  on  their  horses,  and  riding  at  a  walk  towards  the  elevations 
from  which  Red  Feather  had  waved  his  blanket  to  the  brother  and 
sister  when  on  the  other  side  of  the  stream. 

a» 

Melville's  first  thought  was  that  they  had  decided  to  leave  the  place, 
but  that  hope  was  quickly  dispelled  by  the  action  of  the  warriors. 
At  the  highest  point  of  the  hill  they  checked  their  ponies,  and  sat  for 
a  minute  gazing  fixedly  to  the  northward  in  the  direction  of  the 
settlement. 

"They  are  looking  for  our  friends,"  thought  the  youth,  "but  I 
am  afraid  they  will  not  be  in  sight  for  a  good  while  to  come. " 

At  this  juncture  one  of  the  warriors  deliberately  rose  to  a  standing 
position  on  the  back  of  his  pony,  and  turned  his  gaze  to  the  westward. 


56  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

"  Now  they  are  looking  for  their  friends, "  was  the  correct  conclusion 
of  Melville,  "and  I  am  afraid  they  see  tHem;  yes,  there  is  no  doubt 
of  it." 

The  warrior,  in  assuming  his  delicate  position,  passed  his  rifle 
to  his  companion,  whose  horse  was  beside  him.  Then,  with  his 
two  hands  free,  he  drew  his  blanket  from  around  his  shoulders  and 
began  waving  it,  as  Red  Feather  had  done  earlier  in  the  day. 

Melville  glanced  across  at  Red  Feather,  who  was  attentively 
watching  the  performance.  He  saw  the  countenance  grow  more 
forbidding,  while  a  scowl  settled  on  his  brow. 

It  was  easy  to  translate  all  this.  The  Sioux  had  caught  sight 
of  some  of  their  friends,  and  signalled  them.  This  would  not  have 
been  done  had  there  not  been  some  person  or  persons  to  observe  it. 

The  party  which  the  chieftain  had  described  as  being  in  the  Muddy 
Creek  country  must  have  changed  their  course  and  hastened  to  join 
Red  Feather  and  the  smaller  party.     If  such  were  the  fact,  they  would 
arrive  on  the  spot  within  a  brief  space  of  time. 

The  interesting  question  arose  whether,  in  the  event  of  such  arrival, 
and  the  attack  that  was  sure  to  follow,  Red  Feather  would  come  out 
as  open  defender  of  the  children  against  his  own  people.  Had  there 
been  only  the  five  original  warriors,  he  might  have  played  a  part 
something  akin  to  neutrality,  on  the  ground  that  his  descent  of  the 
chimney  had  turned  out  ill  for  him,  and,  being  caught  at  disadvantage 
he  was  held  idle  under  the  threat  of  instant  death.  Still  further,  it 
might  have  been  his  province  to  assume  the  character  of  hostage,  and 
thus  to  defeat  the  overthrow  of  the  couple  by  the  Sioux. 

But  the  arrival  of  the  larger  party  would  change  every  thing.    Among 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


57 


the   Muddy  Creek  band    were    several  who  disliked    Red  Feather 
intensely  enough  to  be  glad  of  a  chance  to  help  his  discomfiture. 

He  had  agreed  that,  in  the  event  of  his  surprising  the  lad  who    was 
making  such  a  brave  defence,  he  would   immedately  appear  at   the 


"  '  Let  the  Sioux  send  more  of  his  warriors  down  the  chimney  ! ' ' 

front  window  and  announce  it,  after  which  he  would  unbar  the  door 
and  admit  the  warriors  to  the  "last  scene  of  all. " 

Several  minutes  had  now  passed,  and  no  such  announcement  was 
made.  The  other  three  Sioux  were  lingering  near  the  building, 
a\vaiting  the  signal  which  came  not. 

While  the  two  were  engaged  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  the  others  sud 
denly  came  round  in  front  of  the  house.  They  were  on  foot,  and 
looked  inquiringly  at  the  windows,  as  if  at  a  loss  to  understand  the 


58  THE   STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

cause  of  the  silence.  Red  Feather  instantly  drew  back,  and  said 
in  a  low  voice  to  Melville— 

"Speak  to  Injin — dem  tink  Red  Feather  lose  scalp. " 

Grasping  the  situation,  the  youth  showed  himself  at  the  window, 
where  the  Sioux  were  sure  to  see  him,  and  uttered  a  tantalizing  shout. 

"Let  the  Sioux  send  more  of  their  warriors  down  the  chimney!" 
he  called  out;  "the  white  youth  is  waiting  for  them,  that  he  may  take 
their  scalps." 

This  was  followed  by  another  shout,  as  the  lad  withdrew  beyond 
reach  of  a  rifle-ball,  that  left  no  doubt  of  its  meaning  on  the  minds 
of  the  astounded  warriors 


CHAPTER  SIX 

THE  MUDDY  CREEK  BAND  —  THE  TORCH 

IT  was  easy  for  any  spectator  to  interpret  the  actions  and  signals 
of  the  Sioux  warrior  who  was  standing  erect  on  his  pony  and 
waving  his  blanket  at  some  party  invisible  to  the  others. 

After  a  minute  or  two  he  rested,  with  the  blanket  trailing  beside 
hun,  while  he  still  held  his  erect  position,  and  continued  gazing  earn 
estly  over  the  prairie.  This  showed  that  he  was  waiting  for  an  answer 
to  his  signal.  Either  there  was  none,  or  that  which  was  given  was 
not  satisfactory,  for  up  went  the  blanket  once  more,  and  he  swung 
it  more  vigorously  than  before,  stopping  and  gazing  away  again. 

This  time  the  reply  was  what  was  desired,  for  the  warrior  dropped 
as  suddenly  astride  of  his  horse  as  though  his  feet  had  been  knocked 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


58 


from  under  him,  and,  wheeling  about,  he  and  his  companion  galloped 
down  the  hill  to  where  the  others  were  viewing  the  cabin. 

The  taunting  words  which  Melville  had  called  through  the  front 
window  must  have  convinced  the 
Sioux  that  the  pitcher  had  gone 
once  too  often  to  the  fountain.  Red 
Feather  had  escaped  by  a  wonderful 
piece  of  good  fortune  when  wedged 
in  the  window,  and  had  been  en 
couraged  to  another  attempt,  which 
ended  in  his  ruin. 

"Red  Feather,"  said  Melville, 
stepping  close  to  the  chieftain,  who 
was  still  peering  through  one  of  the 
windows,  f  the  other  Sioux  will  soon 
be  here." 

"Dat  so  —  dat  so,"  replied  the 
Indian,  looking  around  at  him  and 
nodding  his  head  several  times. 

"What  will  they  do?"  "Standing  erect  and  waving  his  blanket" 

Instead  of  replying  to  this  question  the  chief  seemed  to  be  plunged 
in  thought.  He  gazed  fixedly  in  the  face  of  the  youth,  as  if  uncertain 
what  he  ought  to  answer,  and  then  he  walked  to  the  head  of  the  stairs. 

"Wait  here — don't  come." 

And,  without  anything  more,  he  went  down  the  steps  slowly,  and 
without  the  slightest  noise.  Melville  listened,  but  could  hear  nothing 
of  his  footfalls,  though  certain  that  he  was  moving  across  the 
floor. 


60  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

"I  don't  like  this,"  muttered  the  lad,  compressing  his  lios  and 
shaking  his  head ;  "  it  makes  me  uneasy. " 

He  was  now  in  the  lower  story,  where  he  left  his  rifle,  knife,  and 
tomahawk.  He  was  therefore  more  fully  armed  than  the  youth, 
and,  if  he  chose  to  play  the  traitor,  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  it. 

It  seemed  to  Melville  that  the  coming  of  the  larger  party  was  likely 
to  change  whatever  plans  Red  Feather  might  have  formed  for 
befriending  him  and  his  sister.  What  more  probable  than  that 
he  had  decided  to  return  to  his  first  love  ? 

But  speculation  could  go  on  this  way  for  ever,  and  without  reach 
ing  any  result. 

"I'll  do  as  I  have  done  all  along,"  he  muttered;  "I'll  trust  in 
Heaven  and  do  the  best  I  can.  I'm  sure  of  one  thing,"  he  added; 
'whatever  comes,  Red  Feather  won't  hurt  Dot:  he  has  spared  me 
on  her  account:  and  if  he  turns  against  me  now,  he  will  do  what  he 
can  to  save  her.  Therefore  I'll  make  use  of  the  little  one. " 

Dot  had  held  her  peace  through  these  trying  moments,  but  he  now 
called  her  to  him  and  explained  what  he  wished  her  to  do.  It  was 
that  she  should  place  herself  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  and  watch  Red 
Feather.  In  case  he  started  to  open  the  door,  or  to  come  up  the 
stairs,  she  was  to  tell  him.  Dot  was  beginning  to  understand  more 
clearly  than  before  the  situation  in  which  she  was  placed.  The 
belief  that  she  could  be  or  some  use  to  her  brother  made  her  more 
anxious  than  ever  to  do  her  part.  She  walked  to  the  head  of  the  stairs 
and  sat  down  where  she  could  see  what  went  on  below. 

Returning  to  his  place  at  the  window,  Melville  found  enough  to 
interest  him  without  thinking  of  Red  Feather. 

The  band  from  the  Muddy  Creek  country  had  just  arrived,  and 


THE   STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 


61 


"The  whoU  party  broke  out  in  a  series  of  yells." — Page  63 


TITK   STORY   OF   RED   FEATHER  63 

as  nearly  as  he  could  judge,  there  were  fully  a  score — all  wild,  ugly- 
looking  fellows,  eager  for  mischief.  They  had  just  galloped  up  the 
hill,  where  they  gathered  round  the  man  that  had  first  signalled  them, 
he  having  ridden  forward  to  meet  them.  They  talked  for  several 
minutes,  evidently  to  learn  what  had  taken  place  in  and  around  the 
Clarendon  cabin. 

This  was  soon  made  clear  to  them,  and  then  the  whole  party  broke 
into  a  series  of  yells  enough  to  startle  the  bravest  man.  At  the  same 
time  they  began  riding  rapidly  back  and  forth,  swinging  their  rifles 
over  their  heads,  swaying  their  bodies  first  on  one  side  and  then  on 
another,  and  apparently  growing  more  excited  every  minute. 

At  first  they  described  short  circles  on  the  prairie,  and  then  suddenly 
extended  them  so  as  to  pass  entirely  around  the  house. 

The  Sioux,  as  they  came  in  sight  in  front  of  the  cabin,  were  in 
such  a  fire  range  that  the  youth  felt  sure  he  could  bring  down  a  warrior 
at  every  shot.  He  was  tempted  to  do  so,  but  restrained  himself. 

He  reflected  thatj  though  several  shots  had  been  fired,  no  one, 
so  far  as  he  knew,  had  been  hurt  on  either  side.  He  had  brought 
his  own  rifle  to  his  shoulder  more  than  once,  and  but  a  feather's 
weight  more  pressure  on  the  trigger  would  have  discharged  it,  but 
he  was  glad  he  had  not  done  so. 

"I  shall  not  shoot  any  one,"  he  said,  determinedly,  "until  I  see 
it  must  be  done  for  the  sake  of  Dot  or  myself.  I  wonder  what  Red 
Feather  is  at?" 

Dot  was  still  sitting  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  dividing  her  attention 
between  Susie  her  doll  and  the  chieftain.  Stepping  softly  toward 
her,  Melville  asked— 

"  What  is  he  doing,  Dot  ?" 


64  THE  STORY  OP  RED  FEATHER 

"Nothing." 

"Where  is  he  standing?" 

"Beside  the  front  window,  looking  out  just  like  you  did  a  minute 
ago." 

This  was  reassuring  information,  and  helped  to  drive  away  the 
fear  that  had  troubled  the  youth  ever  since  the  Sioux  passed  below 
stairs. 

"Mel,"  called  his  sister  the  next  minute,  "I'm  awful  hungry; 
ain't  it  past  dinner-time?" 

"  I'm  afraid  there  is  nothing  to  eat  in  the  house. " 

"I'm  awful  thirsty,  too." 

"  I  feel  a  little  that  way  myself,  but  I  don't  believe  there  is  anything 
to  eat  or  drinjk.  You  know,  father  and  mother  didn't  expect  us  to 
stay  here,  or  they  would  have  left  something  for  us." 

"Can't  I  go  downstairs  and  look?" 

4  Yes,  if  you  will  keep  away  from  the  windows,  and  tell  Red  Feather 
what  you  are  doing. " 

"Hasn't  he  got  eyes  that  he  can  see  for  himself?"  asked  the  little 
one  as  she  hurried  down  the  steps. 

The  chief  looked  around  when  he  heard  the  dainty  steps,  wonder 
ing  what  errand  brought  her  downstairs. 

"  Red  Feather, "  said  the  young  lady,  "  I'm  hungry ;  ain't  you  ?  " 

"No — me  no  hungry,"  he  answered,  his  dark  face  lighting  up 
wih  pleasure  at  sight  of  the  picture  of  innocence. 

"Then  you  must  have  eaten  an  awful  big  breakfast  this  morning/' 
remarked  Dot,  walking  straight  to  the  cupboard  in  the  farther  corner 
of  the  room,  into  which  Melville  had  glanced  when  he  first  entered 
the  house;  "I  know  where  mother  keeps  her  jam  and  nice  things." 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  65 

That  she  knew  where  the  delicacies  were  stored  Dot  proved  the 
next  minute,  when,  to  her  delight,  she  found  everything  that  heart, 
or  rather  appetite,  could  wish. 

There  were  a  jar  of  currant  jam,  a  pan  of  cool  milk,  on  which  a 
thick  curst  of  yellow  cream  had  formed,  three-fourths  of  a  loaf  of 
bread,  and  an  abundance  of  butter.  Good  Mrs,  Clarendon  left 
them  behind  because  she  had  an  abundance  without  them.  Little 
did  she  dream  of  the  good  service  they  were  destined  to  do. 

Dot  uttered  such  a  cry  of  delight  that  the  chief  walked  toward 
her,  and  Melville  seized  the  excuse  to  hurry  below. 

The  first  thing  that  struck  him  was  that  Red  Feather's  tomahawk 
and  knife  still  lay  in  the  corner  where  he  had  placed  them.  He 
simply  held  his  rifle  which  most  likely  he  was  ready  to  use  against 
his  own  people  whenever  the  necessity  arose. 

"Well,  Dot,  you  have  found  a  prize,"  said  her  brother,  following 
the  chief,  who  was  looking  over  her  shoulder;  "I  had  no  idea  that 
mother  had  left  anything  behind ;  there's  enough  for  all. " 

She  insisted  that  the  others  should  partake  while  she  waited,  but 
neither  would  permit  it.  No  matter  how  a-hungered  either  might 
have  been,  he  enjoyed  the  sight  of  seeing  her  eat  tenfold  more  than 
in  partaking  himself. 

And  you  may  be  sure  that  Dot  did  ample  justice  to  the  rich  find. 
Melville  cut  a  thick  slice  for  her,  and  spread  the  butter  and  jam  on 
it,  while  a  portion  of  the  milk  was  poured  into  a  cup. 

I  never  heard  of  a  little  girl  who  could  eat  a  piece  of  bread  well 
covered  with  jam  or  preserves  without  failing  to  get  most  of  it  on  her 
mouth.  Dot  Clarendon  wras  no  exception  to  the  rule;  and  before  she 
was  through  a  goodly  part  of  it,  the  sticky  sweet  stuff  was  on  her 


66  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

cheeks  and  nose.  When  she  looked  up  at  the  two  who  were  watching 
her,  the  sight  was  so  comical  that  Red  Feather  did  that  which  I  do 
not  believe  he  had  done  a  dozen  times  in  all  his  life — he  threw  back 
his  head  and  laughed  loud.  Melville  caught  the  contagion  and  gave 
way  to  his  mirth,  which  was  increased  by  the  naive  remark  of  Dof 
that  she  couldn't  see  anything  to  laugh  at. 


"  He  threw  back  his  head  and  laughed  loud.'' 

The  appetite  of  the  young  queen  having  been  satisfied,  Melville 
insisted  on  Red  Feather  sharing 'what  was  left  with  him.  The  Sioux 
declined  at  first,  but  yielded,  and  the  remaining  bread  and  milk 
furnished  them  a  grateful  and  nourishing  repast.  They  did  not  use 
all,  but  saved  enough  to  supply  another  meal  for  Dot,  whose  appetite 
was  sure  to  make  itself  felt  before  many  hours  passed  by. 

Like  most  boys  of  his  age  in  these  later  days,  Melville  Clarendon 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  67 

carried  a  watch,  which  showed  that  it  was  past  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  This  was  considerably  later  than  he  supposed,  and  proved 
that  in  the  rush  of  incidents  time  had  passed  faster  than  he  had  suspected. 

"What  shall  I  do  ?"  asked  the  youth,  turning  to  the  chief. 

"Go — up  up,"  he  replied,  pointing  up  the  steps;  "watch  out. 
Red  Feather — he  watch  out  here." 

"Do  you  want  Dot  to  stay  with  you?"  asked  Melville,  pausing 
on  his  way  to  the  steps. 

"  Leave  wid  Red  Feather — he  take  heap  care  ob  pappoose. " 

*  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  that"  remarked  the  brother,  as  he 
bounded  up  the  stairs,  resuming  his  former  station  near  the  window. 

Looking  out  with  the  same  care  he  had  shown  from  the  first,  he 
found  the  Sioux  had  grown  tired  of  galloping  round  the  house  and 
buildings,  or  they  were  plotting  some  other  kind  of  mischief,  for  only 
one  of  them  was  in  sight. 

He  was  seated  on  his  pony  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  from  which  the 
signals  were  made  to  the  Muddy  Creek  warriors.  A  moment's 
study  of  the  red  men  showed  that  his  attention  was  directed  not 
toward  the  west  but  the  north,  in  the  direction  of  the  settlement. 

"He  is  now  looking  for  enemies  instead  of  friends,"  was  the  con 
clusion  of  Melville. 

The  truth  was,  the  youth  was  begirihing  to  wonder  why  the  settlers 
did  not  come.  If  no  accident  had  befallen  his  parents,  they  ought 
to  have  reached  Barwell  several  hours  before,  and  a  gallop  of  ten 
miles  was  only  a  moderate  ride  for  a  party  of  horsemen  eager  to  strike 
the  marauders  a  blow. 

But  the  fact  that  they  were  not  yet  in  sight  set  the  youth  speculating 
as  to  what  the  result  was  likely  to  be  if  they  did  not  come  at  all,  or 


68  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

rather,  if  their  coming  should  be  delayed  until  nightfall,  for  it  was  not 
to  be  supposed  that  relief  would  not  be  sent  sooner  or  later. 

"There  is  only  a  faint  moon  to-night/'  he  reflected;  "and  Fm 
afraid  that's  against  us. " 

The  American  Indian  prefers  to  do  his  mischief  in  the  dark,  and, 
since  it  would  be  impossible  for  the  horsemen  to  conceal  their  ap 
proach,  they  would  be  likely  to  suffer  in  the  first  collision  with  the 
red  men. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  would  not  the  gloom  be  of  help  to  Red 
Feather  in  some  scheme  doubtless  formed  to  help  the  children  whose 
friend  he  had  so  suddenly  become  ? 

What  the  nature  of  this  scheme  was  (if  such  existed)  Melville  could 
not  guess ;  it  might  be  that  it  required  a  bright  moon  for  its  success. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  Sioux  chieftain,  as  he  stood  beside  one  of 
the  narrow  windows  on  the  lower  floor,  racked  his  brain  until  he  hit 
upon  a  way  of  aiding  the  brother  and  sister — especially  the  latter — 
in  their  desperate  peril.  It  was  a  strange  plan,  indeed,  and,  with 
all  his  adroitness,  he  knew  the  chances  were  ten  to  one  against  its 
success. 

But  the  chief  gave  no  hint  to  Melville  of  what  was  going  on  in 
his  mind,  and  the  latter  could  only  wait,  and  hope  and  pray  that  the 
same  Heavenly  Father  who  had  protected  and  preserved  them  thus 
far  would  keep  them  to  the  end. 

The  youth  was  in  the  midst  of  his  speculations  over  the  matter 
when  he  fancied  he  detected  a  peculiar  odor  from  the  outside.  He 
could  not  tell  its  nature,  though  he  snuffed  the  air  repeatedly.  He 
was  alarmed,  for  he  connected  it  with  the  silence  of  the  war-party 
outside. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  69 

He  was  on  the  point  of  appealing  to  Red  Feather  downstairs, 
when  its  nature  flashed  upon  him.  It  was  smoke  I 

He  had  hardly  reached  the  decision  when  a  mass  of  thick  vapor 
rolled  in  front  of  the  house,  so  dense  and  blinding  that  for  the  moment 
it  shut  from  his  sight  the  mounted  sentinel  on  the  hill. 

What  was  dreaded  by  the  besieged  had  come  at  last.  The  Sioux, 
aware  of  the  great  value  of  the  minutes,  had  resorted  to  the  torch. 


CHAPTER   SEVEN 

"A   LITTLE    CHILD    SHALL   LEAD    THEM."  —  SURROUNDED    BY 

PERIL 

WITHIN  a  distance  of  a  dozen  yards  of  the  house  of  Archibald 
Clarendon  stood  his  barn.  It  was  what  might  be  called 
a  nondescript  building,  being  open  at  the  bottom  to  an  extent  suffi 
cient  to  admit  his  wagons,  ploughs,  farming  implements,  harnesses, 
and  indeed  about  everything  used  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fertile 
land. 

In  the  upper  portion  were  stowed  his  hay  and  grain,  and  in  the 
rear  of  the  lower  part  were  the  stables  for  his  horses  and  cows.  The 
latter,  with  his  principal  wagon,  had  been  removed  that  morning, 
when  the  settler  started  with  his  family  on  their  hasty  flight  north 
ward  to  the  settlement  of  Barwell ;  but  the  timber  was  dry,  and  enough 
hay  was  stored  in  the  loft  to  render  the  building  very  combustible. 

It  was  to  this  structure  that  the  Sioux  had  applied  the  torch,  and 
at  the  moment  the  smoke  rolled  in  front  of  the  house  the  whole  build 
ing  was  in  flames.  Unfortunately,  there  was  a  gentle  breeze  blowing 


70  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

from  the  barn  directly  toward  the  house,  and  it  was  because  of  this 
favoring  fact  that  the  former  was  fired.  The  marauders  had  every 
reason  to  believe  the  flames  would  soon  communicate  with  the  dwell 
ing  and  burn  it  to  the  ground. 

The  barn  faced  the  end  with  the  broad  stone  chimney,  through 
which  Red  Feather  made  his  singular  entrance.  It  was  therefore 
out  of  the  field  of  vision  of  the  inmates,  since  there  was  not  a  single 
window  up  or  down  stairs  with  an  outlook  in  that  direction. 

Melville  started  to  run  down  the  steps  on  making  the  startling 
discovery,  but  met  Red  Feather  coming  up  with  one  hand  grasping 
that  of  Dot. 

"My  gracious!"  exclaimed  the  youth;  "what  can  be  done  now, 
Red  Feather  ?  We  shall  all  be  burned  alive. " 

"Oogh!  not  yet — house  ain't  afire!"  replied  tb.e  chieftain,  without 
any  evidence  of  excitement. 

"But  the  wind  is  blowing  this  way,  and  the  house  is  sure  to  go." 

"Mebbe  go — mebbe  won't  go,"  was  the  reply  with  the  same 
stolidity  of  manner;  "wait — see  bimeby." 

It  would  seem  that,  since  the  Sioux  had  such  a  good  chance  to  do 
mischief,  they  would  have  applied  the  fire  to  the  house  itself.  But, 
though  the  logs  were  dry  enough  to  burn  readily  when  the  flames  were 
fairly  started,  it  was  still  a  task  requiring  considerable  time  and  work. 
It  was  necessary  to  pile  the  fuel  against  the  logs,  and  to  nurse  the 
flames  until  they  set  the  heavy  material  going.  The  barn  was  so 
inflammable  that  a  tiny  match  would  ignite  it,  and,  should  the  fire 
reach  the  house,  the  task  would  be  equally  effective,  and  far  more 
enjoyable  to  the  cruel  spectators. 

While  Red  Feather  and  Melville  stood  near  each  other  on  the  upper 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


71 


"  It  was  to  this  structure  that  the  Sioux  had  applied  the.  torch."— Page  69 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  f3 

floor,  talking  in  low  tones,  Dot  slipped  her  hand  from  the  grasp  of 
the  chieftain,  and  walking  to  the  side  of  the  bed  on  which  she  had 
been  lying,  knelt  down,  closed  her  eyes,  and  clasped  her  hands,  just 
as  she  had  been  accustomed  to  do  at  her  mother's  knee  ever  since 
she  was  old  enough  to  form  the  words  after  her  parent. 

"She  is  praying,"  whispered  her  brother. 

After  repeating  a  simple  prayer  for  their  safety  the  child  opened 
her  eyes,  and,  seeing  her  friends  looking  at  her,  she  sprang  nimbly 
up  and  ran  to  them. 

"Don't  be  scared,  brother  and  Red  Feather;  I  prayed  that  we 
might  all  be  taken  care  of,  and  I'm  not  afraid  one  bit  now,  are 
you?" 

Melville  tried  to  speak,  but  his  voice  choked  him.  His  eyes  filled, 
and,  lifting  the  precious  one  in  his  arms,  he  pressed  her  to  his  breast 
and  kissed  her  again  and  again. 

The  chieftain  said  no-thing,  but  he  too  raised  the  child  in  his  arms 
and  touched  his  lips  to  hers.  Not  only  that,  but  he  filled  her  with 
delight  by  saluting  Susie  in  the  same  manner. 

Who  shall  try  to  make  known  the  emotions  which  stirred  that 
savage  heart  ?  He  had  often  turned  in  scorn  from  the  words  of  the 
good  missionaries  who  had  come  to  his  country ;  but  there  was  some 
thing  in  the  faith  of  the  sweet  child  which  touched  his  nature  as  it 
had  never  been  touched  before. 

Having  set  the  little  one  on  her  feet,  the  Sioux  stepped  across  the 
main  room  to  the  window  from  which  most  of  their  observations 
had  been  made  on  that  floor.  Melville  followed  him,  and  noticed 
that  the  smoke  had  vanished,  so  that  the  sentinel  on  the  hill  was  in 
sight  again. 


74  THE   STORY  OF  A1ED  FEATHER 

Red  Feather  thrust  his  hand  through  the  windows,  so  that  his 
fingers  projected  slightly  beyond.  This  was  done  to  ascertain  the 
direction  of  the  wind. 

"  Oogh ! "  he  muttered,  with  a  curious  expression  on  his  countenance 
"wind  blow  oder  way!  Great  Spirit  hear  what  pappoose  say. " 

"  Can  it  be  possible  ?  "  asked  the  awed  Melville. 

There  was  no  doubt  of  it;  the  slight  breeze,  which  had  been  com 
ing  directly  from  the  barn  toward  the  house  had  changed,  and  was 
now  blowing  in  exactly  the  opposite  direction. 

The  chief  and  the  youth  passed  into  the  smaller  apartment  which 
was  nearest  the  chimney.  The  former  pressed  his  ear  against  the 
logs  to  help  his  hearing.  Had  they  caught  the  flames  from  the  barn, 
which  was  still  burning  furiously,  he  could  not  have  failed  to  detect 
the  fact.  A  moment's  attention  told  him  that  up  to  the  present  the 
building  was  safe. 

But  it  was  not  in  the  nature  of  things  that  the  Sioux  should  refrain 
because  their  first  effort  failed.  They  were  not  the  ones  to  give  up 
on  a  single  trial. 

Several  noteworthy  things  took  place  during  the  latter  part  of  this 
eventful  afternoon.  First  of  all,  there  was  such  a  decided  lowering 
of  the  temperature  that  a  fire  would  have  felt  comfortable  to  the 
occupants  of  the  building.  It  looked  indeed  to  Melville  as  though 
one  of  those  fearful  storms  known  in  the  west  as  "blizzards"  was 
approaching. 

This  was  hardly  possible,  for  it  was  summer-time,  but  the  plains 
of  Texas  and  many  portions  of  the  west  are  often  swept  by  what  are 
termed  "northers"  during  the  warm  season.  These  winds  are 
accompanied  by  such  cutting  cold  that  people  and  animals  often  perish, 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  75 

the  suddenness  of  the  visitation  shutting  them  out  from  securing 
refuge. 

Red  Feather  offered  his  blanket  to  Dot,  but  she  shook  her  head. 
"It's  too  dirty,"  she  said,  noticing  the  soot  which  the  owner  did  not 
seem  to  mind;  "I  can  use  a  blanket  from  the  bed, for  mamma  did 
not  take  them  all  with  her. 

Had  Melville  suspected  the  thought  in  the  mind  of  his  little  sister, 
he  would  have  checked  its  utterance  through  fear  of  offending  the 
chieftain,  but  there  was  no  need  of  that:  one  of  the  impossibilities 
was  for  Dot  to  hurt  his  feelings. 

The  next  most  interesting  event  was  the  second  failure  of  the 
Sioux  to  set  fire  to  the  house.  This  was  singular,  for  there  seemed 
no  reason  why  they  should  not  have  succeeded  with  such  facilities 
at  command. 

The  barn  burned  so  readily  that  long  before  dusk  it  was  reduced 
to  a  mass  of  smoking  ruins. 

From  these,  it  would  have  appeared,  enough  brands  could  have 
been  collected  to  make  a  bonfire  of  the  structure. 

Several  of  the  Sioux  gathered  fuel  at  one  corner  of  the  building, 
and  made  an  attempt  to  fire  it.  The  sounds  which  reached  those 
within  left  no  doubt  of  what  was  going  on,  and  you  may  be  sure  they 
listened  with  anxiety. 

It  was  while  matters  were  in  this  critical  shape  that  Melville  put 
the  direct  question  to  Red  Feather  as  to  what  he  would  do  in  the 
event  of  the  house  being  fired.  The  chieftain  replied  that,  when  he 
saw  there  was  no  saving  the  building,  he  intended  to  take  Dot  in  his 
arms  and  walk  out  of  the  door  among  his  own  warriors.  The  lad 
was  to  follow  immediately,  and  he  would  insist  that  the  lives  of  the 


76  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

children  should  be  spared  because  of  the  promise  made  by  him  to 
them. 

Pressed  further,  the  chief  admitted  that  the  plan  was  likely  to  be 
only  partially  successful.  He  was  confident  he  could  save  Dot,  be 
cause  of  her  sex  and  years;  but  there  was  little  hope  for  Melville. 
Unless  prevented  by  the  care  of  the  little  girl,  Red  Feather  was 
willing  to  join  in  the  fight  which  the  youth  would  have  to  make  for 
his  life  with  scarcely  an  earthly  prospect  of  winning. 

But  the  attempt  to  fire  the  log  structure  came  to  naught,  and, 
strangest  of  all,  the  Sioux  gave  it  up — at  least  for  a  time, for  it  would 
have  been  contrary  to  Indian  nature  had  they  abandoned  the  effort 
to  destroy  their  enemies  so  long  as  there  was  a  chance  of  success. 

Thus  matters  stood  until  the  shadows  of  night  began  closing  over 
the  prairie.  During  the  interval,  many  glimpses  of  the  Sioux  had 
been  caught,  as  they  moved  backward  and  forward  at  will,  sometimes 
mounted  and  often  on  foot.  The  sentinel  kept  his  place  on  the  crest 
of  the  hill,  or  rather,  he  exchanged  it  with  one  of  his  brother  warriors, 
who  wralked  about,  sat  down,  smoked  his  pipe,  and  used  every  means 
at  his  command  to  cause  the  time  to  pass  comfortably  to  him . 

The  failure  of  the  arrival  of  help  caused  not  only  surprise  but  dis 
tress  to  Melville  Clarendon ;  for  there  was  but  one  way  of  interpreting 
it:  something  had  befallen  his  parents  by  which  they  were  prevented 
from  reaching  the  settlement. 

The  youth  had  tried  all  through  the  afternoon  to  drive  away  the 
misgivings  which  had  troubled  him  on  this  score;  but  he  could  do  so 
no  longer.  It  was  in  keeping  with  the  tactics  of  the  Indians  that, 
after  arranging  to  attack  the  home  of  Clarendons,  they  should  circle 
to  the  northward,  so  as  to  approach  it  from  the  direction  of  the  settle- 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  77 

ment.  Had  they  done  this,  with  a  view  of  shutting  off  all  escape  to 
Barwell,  it  was  more  than  likely  they  did  it  early  enough  in  the  day 
to  meet  the  pioneer  and  his  wife  hurrying  from  the  place  of  danger. 

Had  this  meeting  taken  place,  nothing  could  have  saved  the  couple. 
Melville  secured  some  consolation  from  the  belief  that,  if  such  an 
awful  calamity  had  overtaken  his  parents,  the  Sioux  would  give 
evidence  of  the  fact.  That  is  to  say,  they  \vould  have  taken  posses 
sion  of  the  horses  and  enough  of  the  property  for  the  lad  to  see  them 
on  the  first  survey  of  the  assailants. 

The  fact  that  he  did  not  detect  anything  of  the  kind  might  be 
accepted  as  proof  that  no  meeting  had  taken  place  with  the  particular 
party  under  the  leadership  of  Red  Feather. 

But  that  question  was  easily  answered  by  Red  Feather  himself. 
He  assured  Melville  that  he  and  his  warriors  had  come  from  the  south, 
arriving  on  the  spot  only  a  short  time  before  the  appearance  of  the 
brother  and  sister  on  the  other  bank  of  the  stream.  He  had  waved 
his  blanket  at  the  children  as  a  taunt,  not  supposing  they  would  come 
any  closer  after  seeing  him;  but,  riding  over  the  hill,  he  peeped 
cautiously  back,  and  learned  that  Melville,  not  catching  the  meaning 
of  the  gesture,  was  approaching  his  home.  Thereupon  the  chief 
called  back  his  men  who  were  riding  off,  and  arranged  to  secure  the 
young  birds  returning  to  the  nest  from  which  the  parents  had  flown. 

All  the  comfort  that  the  youth  might  have  got  from  this  story  was 
spoiled  by  the  declaration  of  the  chief  that  he  believed  an  encounter 
had  taken  place  between  Mr.  Clarendon  and  the  other  party  of 
Sioux  which  reached  the  spot  later  in  the  afternoon.  These  were 
under  the  lead  of  Tall  Bear,  a  rival  of  Red  Feather,  between  whom 
a  jealousy  amounting  to  bitter  enmity  existed. 


t8  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHEII 

Had  Red  Feather  not  seen  Tall  Bear  among  the  group  he  would 
have  adopted  a  course  which  the  presence  of  that  rival  prevented. 
He  would  have  gone  out  among  his  own  warriors,  and  insisted  on  his 
rights  with  a  vigor  that  could  hardly  have  failed  of  success.  Though 
his  men  were  not  afraid  of  dispute  writh  him,  yet  they  were  not  likely 
to  invite  violence.  When  they  saw  he  was  fully  resolved  they  would 
yield.  The  conclusion  to  be  reached  from  this  statement  is  that  Red 


r- 


'  Something  unusual  was  going  on  among  the  Sioux  outside.'5 

Feather  after  all  did  not  make  half  as  determined  an  argument  in 
behalf  of  his  friends  as  he  appeared  to  have  done.  Melville,  there 
fore,  was  right  in  his  first  suspicion,  though  he  was  too  thoughtful 
to  say  so. 

Darkness  had  not  fully  come  when  it  became  clear  to  the  watchers 
within  the  building  that  something  unusual  was  going  on  among  the 
Sioux  outside.  Nearly  the  entire  party  came  together  on  the  crest 
of  the  hill,  where  they  were  only  dimly  visible  in  the  gathering 
gloom.  They  could  be  seen  walking  back  and  forth,  making  many 
gestures,  and  talking  so  loud  that  their  voices  were  clearly  heard. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED 


'*  Red  Feather  strained  his  hearing  to  catch  some  words." 

Leaning  against  the  side  of  the  window,  Red  Feather  straiaed  his 
hearing  to  catch  some  words  that  would  give  him  an  inkling  of  what 
it  all  meant. 

The  heart  of  the  youth  throbbed  with  the  hope  that  the  long- 
expected  help  was  in  sight  at  last.  It  seemed  to  him  the  Sioux 
were  acting  just  as  they  would  do  in  case  they  detected  the  approach 
of  hostile  horsemen. 

But  the  sorely-tried  lad  could  only  wyait  until  Red  Feather  should 
answer  the  question  on  his  tongue,  or  until  it  should  be  answered 
by  the  events  themselves. 


80  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

TALL   BEAR   AND    HIS   WARRIORS  —  A    SURPRISING    DISCOVERY 

YOU  will  recall  that  when  Red  Feather  wedged  himself  in  the 
narrow  window  he  said,  in  answer  to  the  sharp  questioning 
of  Melville  Clarendon,  that  the  Muddy  Creek  band  of  Sioux  were 
so  far  off  that  nothing  was  to  be  feared  from  them. 

The  original  band  of  marauders  numbered  over  a  score,  and  were 
under  the  joint  leadership  of  Tall  Bear  and  Red  Feather,  both  of 
whom  were  eager  to  sweep  along  the  thin  line  of  settlements  like  a 
cyclone,  scattering  death  and  destruction  in  their  path.  It  may 
strike  you  that  so  small  a  force  was  hardly  equal  to  the  task  of  such 
a  raid ;  but  I  have  only  to  remind  you  that  the  famous  Geronimo  and 
his  Apaches,  who  made  their  home  among  the  alkali  deserts  and 
mountain  fastnesses  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  numbered  few 
warriors  at  times,  and  yet  they  baffled  for  years  a  regiment  of  United 
States  cavalry.  It  was  only  when  the  chieftain  chose  to  come  in 
and  surrender  himself  under  the  pledge  of  good  treatment  that 
hostilities  ended. 

The  twenty-odd  horsemen  under  the  leadership  of  Red  Feather 
and  Tall  Bear  were  fitting  types  of  that  savage  horde  which  in  the 
early  summer  of  1876  blotted  out  General  Custer  and  his  troops.  It 
so  happened,  however,  with  the  smaller  party  that  they  found  no  such 
favoring  circumstances  to  help  them.  At  the  first  settler's  cabin  as 
sailed  they  discovered  the  inmates  ready  for  them.  In  some  way 
or  other,  several  families  had  learned  of  their  danger  in  time  to  pre 
pare  for  their  assailants. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  81 

It  was  clear  to  the  Indians  that  the  settlers  in  that  section  had 
taken  the  alarm,  and  Red  Feather  proposed  they  should  abandon 
their  first  plan  and  push  northward  towards  Barwell,  attacking  the 
isolated  homes  to  the  south  of  that  settlement.  Tall  Bear  opposed 
so  warmly,  and  with  such  slurs  on  his  rival,  that  a  personal  conflict 
was  narrowly  averted. 

The  end  of  the  quarrel  was  that  Red  Feather,  with  five  of  his 
followers,  drew  off  from  the  rest  and  rode  northward.  The  result 
of  this  separation  was  unsatisfactory  to  both  parties. 

The  friendly  Indian  who  had  hastened  toward  Barwell  to  warn 
the  pioneers  of  their  danger  did  his  work  so  well  that  hardly  one 
was  neglected.  The  inmates  of  the  first  cabin  attacked  by  Red 
Feather  were  awaiting  him.  Only  a  few  shots  were  exchanged, 
when  the  wrathful  chieftain  withdrew,  and,  pushing  to  the  northward, 
next  swooped  down  on  the  dwelling  of  Archibald  Clarendon. 

No  resistance  was  encountered  there,  for,  as  you  know,  the  inmates 
had  left  some  time  before.  For  some  reason  never  fully  explained, 
Red  Feather  did  not  fire  the  buildings  at  once.  Shortly  after,  Mel 
ville  Clarendon  and  his  sister  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  the  in 
cidents  which  followed  have  already  been  told. 

Meanwhile,  Tall  Bear  and  his  warriors  met  with  no  better  success 
than  the  smaller  party.  The  proof  became  so  strong  that  the  whole 
district  was  on  the  alert  that  he  abruptly  changed  his  mind  and  led 
his  warriors  at  a  sweeping  gallop  to  the  northward  over  the  trail  of 
Red  Feather  and  his  warriors. 

When  he  arrived  on  the  scene  he  heard  the  curious  story  the  five 
warriors  had  to  tell.  A  dwelling  at  last  had  been  found  in  which 
the  occupants  were  not  fully  prepared,  or  rather,  were  so  insignificant 


82  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

in  strength  that  no  company  of  Sioux,  however  small,  could  consent 
to  a  repulse. 

But  there  stood  the  cabin  defying  them.  Red  Feather  had  forced 
his  way  partly  through  the  window  and  then  was  caught  so  fast  that, 
but  for  the  mercy  of  the  sturdy  youth  within,  he  would  have  been 
killed  without  being  able  to  use  a  finger  to  defend  himself. 

Among  the  whole  party  who  heard  the  remarkable  narrative,  there 
was  not  one  who  would  have  thought  of  keeping  a  promise  made 
under  such  circumstances  as  was  that  of  the  chief.  No  pledge  could 
have  been  more  solemn,  and  yet  those  are  the  very  ones  that  are  first 
repudiated  by  the  red  man. 

To  Tall  Bear  and  his  band  the  action  of  Red  Feather  in  descend 
ing  the  chimney  was  natural.  The  bitterest  enemy  of  the  chieftain 
never  questioned  his  courage,  and,  knowing  how  chagrined  he  must 
feel  over  his  mishap,  they  could  understand  the  desperate  feeling  that 
prompted  the  deed,  the  like  of  which  was  seldom  if  ever  known  before. 

There  was  little  said  about  Red  Feather's  wish  to  keep  his  agree 
ment  with  Melville,  for  the  reason  I  have  already  hinted — his  proposal 
to  do  so  was  not  earnest  enough  to  mislead  them. 

But  to  the  Sioux  outside  it  looked  very  much  as  if  the  descent  of 
the  chimney  by  the  chief  had  marked  the  end  of  his  career.  Among 
all  the  warriors  there  was  not  one  who  believed  the  truth — that  he 
had  been  changed  from  the  fiercest  enemy  into  the  most  beloved 
friend  of  the  boy  and  girl. 

The  tantalizing  shout  of  Melville  from  the  window  was  proof  to 
the  warriors  that  Red  Feather  had  been  slain  by  the  boy,  though, 
as  I  have  said,  no  report  of  a  gun  was  heard  from  within  the 
building. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  8S 

The  chieftain's  course,  after  proving  himself  a  friend  of  the  brother 
and  sister,  showed  his  desire  to  keep  his  presence  in  the  house  un 
suspected  by  his  own  people.  He  took  care  that  no  glimpse  of  him 
was  caught  through  the  windows,  and  he  refrained  from  firing  when 
he  had  any  number  of  chances  to  bring  down  an  Indian. 

Doubtless  there  were  several  reasons  for  this  forbearance.  Such 
a  shot  would  be  credited  to  Melville,  and  might  excite  the  Sioux  to 
an  attack  too  furious  to  be  resisted.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  hardly 
to  be  supposed  that  Red  Feather's  feelings  had  so  changed,  because 
of  his  wish  to  save  Dot  and  her  brother,  that  he  was  ready  to  turn 
about  and  begin  shooting  at  the  very  ones  whom  he  had  led  on  this 
raid. 

It  cannot  be  said  that  Tall  Bear  grieved  any  more  over  the  loss 
of  his  rival  leader  than  did  most  of  the  warriors.  He  prudently 
uttered  some  words  of  sympathy,  but  they  hardly  deceived  those 
who  heard  them.  They  agreed  with  him,  however,  in  declaring 
that  his  fall  must  be  avenged,  and  that  the  boy  who  had  caused  his 
death,  as  well  as  his  little  sister,  must  suffer  torture-punishment  for 
the  deed. 

Several  circuits  around  the  building  proved  that  it  could  hardly  be 
carried  by  the  most  determined  assault  in  their  power,  All  the 
windows  were  too  narrow  to  be  used  as  a  means  of  entrance,  even  if 
any  one  was  brave  enough  to  repeat  the  disastrous  experiment  of 
the  other  chief.  The  single  door  had  already  resisted  the  strongest 
shock  they  could  give  it,  and  no  weak  point  was  visible. 

True,  the  path  used  by  Red  Feather  when  he  finally  succeeded  - 
in  gaining  the  interior  was  open  to  the  rest;  but  it  is  no  reflection 
on  their  courage  to  say  that  among  the  whole  party  there  was  not  one 


84  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

willing  to  head  the  procession  down  the  chimney,  even  though  but 
a  solitary  boy  and  a  single  rifle  stood  in  the  way. 

Clearly  there  was  one  means  at  the  command  of  Tall  Bear  and 
his  Sioux  which  was  not  only  terrible,  but  effective.  They  could  set 
fire  to  the  building  and  reduce  it  to  ashes. 

The  lookout  on  the  hill  reported  the  horizon  clear  in  every  direction ; 
and,  since  his  wide  sweep  of  vision  extended  toward  every  point  of 
the  compass,  he  was  able  to  discover  the  approach  of  hostile  horsemen 
a  good  while  before  they  could  reach  the  spot.  He  knew  that  if  help 
came  it  would  be  from  the  northward,  where  Barwell  lay,  whither 
Mr.  Clarendon  and  his  wife  had  hurried  on  the  first  alarm.  The 
prairie  for  a  couple  of  miles  was  under  a  scrutiny  that  would  let  noth 
ing  escape. 

The  circumstances  were  so  favorable  that  Tall  Bear  and  his  party 
decided  to  indulge  in  a  feast.  Enough  poultry  were  wandering  about 
the  premises  to  afford  a  fine  meal  for  a  larger  band  than  he  had  with 
him,  and  it  took  only  a  short  time  to  wring  the  necks  of  more  than  a 
score  of  ducks  and  chickens. 

The  Sioux  gathered  to  the  westward  of  the  barn  and  ate  like  so 
many  wild  animals  until  all  were  satisfied.  The  meal  finished,  they 
gave  their  attention  to  the  serious  business  before  them.  Had  the 
incidents  I  am  relating  taken  place  half  a  century  ago,  the  red  men 
would  have  been  obliged  to  resort  to  the  old-fashioned  flint  and  steel 
with  which  our  forefathers  used  to  start  a  fire;  but  they  were  abreast 
of  these  modern  times  to  that  extent  that  nearly  every  one  carried 
more  or  less  lucifer-matches. 

The  favoring  wind  led  to  the  barn  being  fired,  under  the  belief 
that  the  flames  would  quickly  communicate  with  the  house  but  a  short 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


"  His  attention  was  drawn  to  the  sentinel  on  the  hill." — Page  86 

distance  off;  but,  as  you  have  learned,  Providence  favored  the  threat 
ened  ones  to  that  extent  that  the  breeze  changed  its  course,  and  for 
a  time  Dot  and  Melville  were  saved. 

Tall  Bear  and  the  Sioux  waited  till,  to  their  disappointment  and 
surprise,  they  saw  the  barn  sink  into  blazing  ruins  and  leave  the 
house  intact. 

The  next  proceeding  was  to  gather  what  embers  they  could  and 
pile  them  against  the  dwelling,  where  they  speedily  burst  into  flames. 
It  now  looked  certain  that  the  structure  was  doomed;  but  the  heavy 
logs,  although  dry  on  the  outside,  were  damp  within.  It  takes  such 
timber  a  long  time  to  part  with  its  natural  moisture,  and,  fortunately 
for  our  friends,  a  driving  rain-storm  less  than  a  week  previous  had  so 


86  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

soaked  the  wood  that  only  an  intense  and  long-continued  heat  could 
set  it  aflame.  The  logs  were  charred  and  scorched,  and  more  than 
once  appeared  to  be  on  the  point  of  breaking  into  a  roaring  blaze; 
but  the  brands  piled  against  the  end  of  the  house  finally  sank  down 
to  embers  and  ashes,  and  though  considerable  smoke  arose,  the  house 
stood  really  as  firm  and  as  strong  as  at  the  first. 

This  was  a  keener  disappointment  than  Tall  Bear  had  yet  met, 
for  it  looked  as  though  the  most  potent  if  not  the  only  means  at  his 
command  was  powerless  to  bring  the  boy  to  terms. 

The  chieftain  himself  examined  the  logs  which  had  been  subjected 
to  the  fire.  He  dug  his  hunting-knife  into  them,  and  soon  discovered 
why  they  resisted  the  fire  so  effectually.  Then  he  tested  other  parts 
of  the  house  in  the  same  manner  and  with  the  same  result . 

For  the  first  time  since  his  arrival  on  the  spot  he  was  forced  to  see 
the  probability  of  another  failure.  His  career  from  the  hour  he 
bounded  upon  his  pony  and  entered  so  eagerly  on  the  raid  had  been 
a  continual  disappointment.  He  was  angered  and  resentful  toward 
the  supposed  dead  Red  Feather,  because  he  allowed  himself  to  be 
baffled  at  the  beginning  by  a  solitary  boy. 

Tall  Bear's  pride  was  stirred,  and  he  was  unwilling  to  confess 
himself  beaten  after  openly  blaming  his  predecessor  for  failing  to 
capture  the  place  with  less  than  one-third  of  his  force. 

But  there  seemed  to  be  no  help  for  it,  unless  he  should  presevere 
with  the  fire  until  the  logs  of  the  house  were  forced  into  combustion. 
They  must  yield  in  time,  if  the  effort  was  kept  up;  and  he  was  on 
the  point  of  renewing  the  attempt  on  a  larger  scale  than  before  when 
hisr  attention  was  drawn  to  the  sentinel  on  the  hill,  who  uttered  the 
startling  cry  that  horsemen  were  in  sight  to  the  northward. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


87 


"  More  Sioux  coimn*^- open  door  quick." — Page  90 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  89 

The  chief  and  the  warriors  who  were  not  already  on  the  spot  hurried 
thither  to  learn  what  it  meant. 

As  I  have  explained  elsewhere,  this  discovery  did  not  take  place 
until  near  nightfall,  when  darkness  was  beginning  to  render  sur 
rounding  objects  indistinct.  The  long  delay  in  the  arrival  of  help 
for  the  children  of  the  pioneer  led  Tall  Bear  to  believe  it  was  not  like 
ly  to  come  before  morning;  but  once  more  it  looked  as  if  Providence 
was  about  to  interfere  to  bring  his  wicked  schemes  to  naught. 

The  gloom  overspreading  stream  and  prairie  prevented  the  Sioux 
from  seeing  the  horsemen  clearly  enough  to  indentify  them.  The 
forms  were  so  shadowy  and  vague  that  nothing  more  could  be  learned 
than  that  there  were  about  a  dozen  men  mounted  on  horses,  and  rid 
ing  toward  the  cabin  on  a  slow  walk,  as  if  not  without  some  mis 
giving. 

It  was  certain  that  while  the  sentinel  on  the  hill  commanded  an 
unusually  wide  sweep  of  vision,  he  nimself  was  conspicuous,  and  the 
others  had  been  as  quick  to  discover  him  as  he  was  to  detect  them. 
Both  parties,  therefore,  were  aware  of  the  presence  of  the  other,  and 
neither  was  likely  to  make  a  mistake  at  this  critical  juncture. 

But  neither  Tall  Bear  nor  any  of  his  warriors  could  tell  of  a  surety 
whether  the  approaching  horsemen  were  white  or  red  men.  The 
Sioux  grouped  around  the  house  were  not  the  only  ones  by  any  means 
that  were  engaged  on  this  memorable  raid  in  Southern  Minnesota, 
and  it  was  not  impossible  that  a  party  of  friends  were  in  sight. 

It  was  somewhat  curious  that  the  majority  of  the  Sioux  believed 
a  party  of  their  own  people  at  hand.  Tall  Bear  himself  was  inclined 
to  think  the  same ;  but  to  guard  against  any  fatal  mistake,  he  directed 
his  warriors  to  ride  down  the  hill  on  the  east,  so  as  to  interpose  be- 


00 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


tween  them  and  the  strangers ,  who 
could  now  be  barely  distinguished. 
Two  other  Sioux  were  to  wait 
until  the  horsemen  came  near 
enough  to  settle  the  question,  when 
they  would  make  it  known  by 
signal,  after  which  the  course  of 
the  band  would  be  open.  If  the 
new-comers  proved  to  be  enemies, 
a  sharp  fight  was  likely  to  follow, 
in  which  serious  damage  was  cer 
tain  to  be  inflicted  on  both  sides. 

The  directions  of  the  leader  were 
promptly    followed,    the  warriors 
galloping   off   and  quickly  disap 
pearing   in   the    direction   of   the 
"  The  door  swung  inward.  upper  trail,    along  which  Melville 

and  Dot  had  ridden  on  their  way  from  the  settlement. 

While  they  were  thus  engaged,  Tall  Bear  cantered  to  the  front 
of  the  cabin  and  leaped  to  the  ground.  He  had  determined  to  at 
tempt  a  trick. 

Striking  his  fist  against  the  door,  he  called  out — 
"More  Sioux  comin' — open  door  quick — Tall  Bear   won't  hurt— 
don't  wait." 

He  hoped  the  actions  of  himself  and  warriors  had  made  known 
the  former  fact  before  he  announced  it  in  words.  He  counted  upon 
a  panic  that  would  show  the  lad  his  situation  was  hopeless,  and 
induce  him  to  surrender  while  there  was  hope  of  mercy. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  91 

There  was  no  reply  to  his  summons,  and  he  raised  his  first  to  strike 
the  door  again,  when  he  discovered  the  latch-string  on  the  outside. 
With  no  suspicion  of  what  it  meant,  he  gave  it  a  twitch. 

To  his  amazement,  the  door  swung  inward  of  its  own  weight,  and, 
before  he  could  check  himself,  he  had  to  take  a  step  within  to  escape 
falling. 

With  a  vague  suspicion  of  the  truth,  he  called  to  the  lad  again, 
and  groped  about  the  lower  room. 

He  quickly  discovered  that  it  was  empty,  and  then,  with  little 
personal  fear,  he  hurried  up  the  stairs. 

Two  minutes  were  enough  to  make  clear  the  truth. 

He  was  the  only  living  person  in  the  cabin ! 


CHAPTER  NINE 

• 

NAT   TRUMBULL   AND    HIS   MEN  —  OUT   IN    THE    NIGHT 

THE  American  Indian  rarely  shows  any  emotion  that  may  be 
stirring  his  heart.  I  am  sure,  however,  that  if  one  could 
have  had  a  look  at  the  face  of  Tall  Bear  when  he  made  the  discovery 
that  neither  the  brother  nor  sister  was  in  the  cabin  he  wrould  have 
seen  a  picture  of  as  blank  amazement  as  ever  hela  a  person  speechless. 

This  was  not  caused  so  much  by  what  the  children  had  done  as 
by  the  course  of  the  Sioux  themselves,  for  nothing  was  plainer  to  the 
chieftain  than  the  manner  in  which  Melville  and  Dot  had  escaped. 

The\f  had  been  on  the  alert,  and  when  the  warriors  hastened  to 
the  top  of  the  hill  Melville  Clarendon  was  bright  enough  to  seize 


THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


the  opportunity  thus  given.  He  had  quietly  stepped  out  of  the 
front  door,  where,  in  the  gloom  and  the  absorbing  interest  of  the  red 
men  in  another  direction,  neither  he  nor  the  little  girl  attracted  notice. 
The  two  were  doubtless  making  all  haste  from  the  endangered  spot. 

But  the  chieftain  was  astounded 
over  another  discovery:  in  order  to 
make  his  search  absolutely  thorough 
he  had  caught  up  a  smouldering 
brand,  quickly  fanned  it  into  a  flame, 
and  then  explored  the  upper  and 
lower  story s.  Not  a  nook  or  corner 
was  left  unvisited,  and  a  hiding  cat 
would  have  been  brought  to  light. 

That  which  almost  knocked  Tall 
Bear  breathless  was  the  fact  that 
he  found  nothing  of  the  remains  of 
Red  Feather,  who  had  entered  the 
chimney  before  the  eyes  of  five  of  his 
own  warriors. 

The  inference  was  certain:   Red 

'Explored  the  upper  and  lower  storys."     Feather   had    not  been  killed,    but 
had  gone  out  of  the  front  door  just  as  the  children  had  done. 

Tall  Bear  was  still  far  from  suspecting  the  whole  truth,  though, 
had  he  been  left  with  nothing  else  on  his  mind  for  a  short  time  only, 
he  must  have  divined,  or  at  least  suspected,  what  actually  took  place. 
But  a  party  of  horsemen  were  approaching,  and  must  already  be 
close  at  hand.  They  required  attention,  for  if  they  should  prove 
to  be  enemies,  the  chief  would  have  his  hands  full.  His  position, 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  93 

with  a  lighted  torch  within  the  building,  was  not  the  most  prudent 
he  could  take,  and  as  he  came  ontside  he  flung  the  light  to  the  ground 
where  it  sputtered  out  in  the  darkness. 

Tall  Bear's  pony  was  standing  where  he  had  left  him,  and  vaulting 
lightly  upon  his  back,  he  sent  him  on  a  gallop  to  the  top  of  the  hill, 
to  learn  something  about  the  new-comers. 

The  main  party  of  warriors  were  some  distance  off,  awaiting  the 
signal  to  know  whether  they  were  to  fight  or  to  join  the  parties  whose 
identity  was  still  in  doubt.  The  couple  whom  Tall  Bear  had  des 
patched  to  reconnoitre  were  still  absent,  so  that  he  found  himself 
alone  on  the  elevation. 

It  is  at  such  times  that  the  American  Indian  displays  a  wonderful 
keenness  of  sight  and  hearing.  The  chief  sat  motionless,  peering 
into  the  gloom  and  listening.  None  could  know  better  than  he  that 
he  had  taken  a  most  dangerous  position. 

If  the  horsemen,  who  could  not  be  far  off,  were  hostile,  they  would 
surround  the  hill  whereon  they  last  saw  the  Sioux,  and  unless  Tall 
Bear  kept  his  wits  about  him  he  was  likely  to  be  shut  in  on  every  hand. 

But  it  would  have  been  hard  for  the  most  skilful  Indian  scout  to 
take  him  unawares.  He  was  certain  to  see  and  hear  the  approach 
of  any  one  as  soon  as  the  latter  could  see  or  hear  him,  and  the  chieftain 
was  not  the  one  to  fall  asleep  under  such  circumstances. 

Darting  his  penetrating  glances  here,  there,  and  everywhere,  he 
suddenly  fixed  them  upon  a  point  directly  ahead.  Something  was 
vaguely  assuming  form  in  the  gloom,  and  a  minute  later  he  observed 
a  man  walking  toward  him. 

Tall  Bear  leaned  forward  over  the  neck  of  his  pony,  that  he  might 
not  lose  the  advantage  of  an  inch  of  space.  The  stranger  was 


94  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

advancing  without  any  more  noise  than  if  he  was  a  shadow,  and  he 
was  alone,  or,  if  he  had  any  companions,  they  were  so  far  behind 
when  he  was  in  full  view  as  to  be  invisible. 

The  man  on  foot  came  to  a  halt  while  still  too  far  off  to  be  more 
than  faintly  visible,  and  emitted  a  low  tremulous  whistle.  Tall 
Bear  promptly  answered  in  the  same  manner,  and  then  the  other 
ran  forward  to  his  side.  He  was  one  of  the  two  scouts  the  chief  had 
sent  out,  and  he  brought  important  tidings. 

The  party  of  horsemen  which  caused  the  Sioux  such  concern  were 
white  men — every  one— under  the  leadership  of  the  famous  frontier 
scout  Nat  Trumbull.  The  warrior  had  ventured  near  enough 
to  the  company  to  recognize  bis  voice  when  he  gave  the  order  for  his 
men  to  move  around  to  the  south  and  approach  the  house  from  that 
direction. 

Trumbull  was  a  veteran  who  had  done  good  service  during  the 
lurid  summer  of  1862,  when  the  Sioux  desolated  a  large  portion  of 
the  Minnesota  frontier,  and  Tall  Bear  feared  him  more  than  any 
white  man  living.  He  knew  that  if  Trumbull  and  his  rangers  got 
a  chance  at  the  Sioux  they  would  force  matters  without  mercy.  No 
sooner,  therefore,  did  the  Sioux  scout  tell  what  he  had  learned  than 
Tall  Bear  made  up  his  mind  that  the  best  place  for  him  and  his 
warriors  was  somewhere  else.  When  he  asked  after  the  other  scout 
who  accompanied  the  one  that  returned,  the  chieftain  was  told  that 
he  had  ventured  so  near  the  white  men  that  he  narrowly  escaped 
capture,  and  was  forced  to  dodge  off  in  another  direction. 

That  was  enough.  Tall  Bear  wheeled  his  pony  like  a  flash,  and 
galloped  toward  the  point  where  he  knew  his  warriors  were  awaiting 
the  news  wi^h  as  much  anxiety  as  his  own. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  05 

Such  tidings  travel  fast,  and  within  five  minutes  after  the  return 
of  the  scout  with  his  message  Tall  Bear  and  his  warriors  were  riding 
as  if  for  life  from  the  neighborhood. 

It  may  as  well  be  explained  how  it  was  that  the  relief  which  Mel 
ville  Clarendon  expected  hours  before  was  so  delayed  that,  but  for 
an  unexpected  occurence,  it  would  have  arrived  too  late. 

You  have  learned  that  Mr.  Clarendon  and  his  wife  left  their  home 
early  that  morning  and  hurried  northward  over  the  ten  miles  between 
them  and  Harwell. 

All  went  well  until  they  had  passed  half  the  distance,  when  the 
sudden  appearance  of  three  mounted  Indians  showed  that  they  were 
not  likely  to  get  through  without  trouble.  The  settler  at  once  came 
to  a  halt  and  prepared  to  make  the  best  defence  possible.  The 
animals  were  gathered  near  the  wagon,  where  Mr.  Clarendon  made 
his  wife  crouch  down  to  escape  the  flying  bullets,  and,  loaded  gun 
in  hand,  he  waited  the  attack  that  was  sure  to  come. 

A  skilful  marksman  in  the  situation  of  Mr.  Clarendon  generally 
considers  himself  the  equal  of  three  mounted  men  on  the  open  plain, 
and  the  conduct  of  the  warriors  showed  that  they  held  the  settler 
in  respect.  Keeping  beyond  easy  range,  they  circled  about  the 
wagon  and  its  inmates  as  if  looking  for  an  opening,  and  finally  all 
three  brought  their  guns  to  their  shoulders  and  let  fly. 

The  volley  killed  one  of  the  horses,  which  dropped  dead  as  he 
stood  near  the  wagon. 

The  settler  instantly  returned  the  shot,  and — rather  curiously — 
though  the  distance  was  considerable,  he  brought  down  the  pony 
of  the  nearest  Indian,  which  made  such  a  frenzied  leap  that  his 
rider  was  thrown.  Mr,  Clarendon  at  first  thought  it  was  he  who 


96  THE  STORY  OF  RED   FEATHER 

had  been  struck;  but  he  quickly  sprang  to  his  feet  and  vaulted  upon 
another  pony  behind  one  of  his  comrades. 

The  Sioux  continued  circling  around  the  settler  at  a  still  greater 
distance,  and  sent  in  another  volley,  which  did  no  harm.  At  last 
they  concluded  the  risk  of  a  charge  and  attack  too  great,  and  drew 
off,  finally  disappearing  in  the  distance. 


"  He  brought  down  the  pony  of  the  nearest  Indian." 

Mr.  Clarendon  waited  an  hour  or  more,  expecting  them  to  return, 
but  they  did  not,  and  he  resumed  his  journey  to  the  settlement. 

Having  but  a  single  horse,  he  was  obliged  to  leave  part  of  his 
load  behind,  and  such  slow  progress  was  made  in  his  crippled  con 
dition  that  the  day  was  well  gone  before  he  reached  Barwell. 

There  he  was  startled  to  learn  that  h>s  children  had  started  home- 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  97 

ward  early  in  the  day,  and  were  still  absent.  He  set  about  organizing 
a  rescue  party  at  once.  Fortunately,  Nat  Trumbull  and  several 
of  his  rangers  were  present,  and  they  eagerly  gave  their  help.  Within 
half  an  hour  after  the  father  received  the  alarming  tidings  Trumbull 
was  cantering  southward  with  a  dozen  tried  men  and  true,  and 
among  them  was  Archibald  Clarendon  himself. 

Although  the  escape  of  the  three  parties  from  the  beleaguered  cabin 
may  strike  you  as  wonderful,  yet,  after  all,  there  was  nothing  very 
remarkable  in  it. 

Red  Feather  would  have  forgotten  his  lifelong  training,  had  he 
failed  to  see  and  take  instant  advantage  of  the  providential  diversion 
when  the  Sioux,  in  the  gathering  darkness,  made  all  haste  to  the  top 
of  the  hill  to  learn  about  the  horsemen  approaching  from  the  north. 

Had  the  Sioux  suspected  that  the  brain  of  one  of  their  shrewdest 
chiefs  was  helping  the  boy  and  girl,  they  would  have  been  far  more 
vigilant;  but,  as  it  was,  they  must  have  believed  that  nothing  could 
draw  the  lad  outside  of  his  shelter  until  the  appearance  of  his 
friends. 

Red  Feather  was  standing  as  before  at  one  of  the  upper  windows 
when  the  stampede  took  place  to  the  crest  of  the  hill.  He  read  its 
meaning,  and  saw  his  golden  opportunity. 

"Now  we  go,"  he  said  in  an  undertone;  "me  carry  pappoose 
(child) — you  come  'long — put  blanket  round — den  look  like  Indian." 

There  was  another  reason  for  using  the  blanket;  the  air  was  cold 
enough  to  require  it. 

Melville  was  quick  to  catch  the  idea,  and,  whipping  a  quilt  from 
the  bed,  he  gathered  it  about  his  shoulders,  so  that  it  came  almost 
to  his  crown.  His  straw  hat  would  have  been  too  conspicuous,  and 


98  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

he  held  that  in  front  of  his  breast,  under  the  blanket,  to  be  put  in 
its  proper  place  again  when  it  should  become  safe  to  do  so. 

"I'm  ready,"  he  said,  standing  erect,  and  looking  at  Red  Feather 
as  well  as  he  could  in  the  gloom. 

"Me  too." 

The  chief  had  lifted  Dot  in  his  arms,  and  he  covered  her  with  his 
thick  blanket,  doing  so  with  such  skill  that  hardly  any  one  would 
have  suspected  the  nature  of  the  precious  burden  he  carried  next  to 
his  heart. 

Not  a  minute  was  lost.  Red  Feather  passed  down  the  steps, 
paused  in  front  of  the  door,  and  waited  for  Melville  to  unfasten  it. 
The  youth  donned  his  hat,  flung  aside  his  blanket,  and  set  his  gun 
down  to  give  his  arms  play.  The  heavy  bar  was  lifted  from  its  place, 
and  then,  in  obedience  to  an  odd  whim,  he  thrust  the  end  of  the 
leathern  string  through  the  orifice  above  the  latch. 

He  gathered  his  blanket  about  his  shoulders  and  head  as  before, 
doffing  his  hat  and  returning  it  to  its  hiding-plav.  B,  and  paused  for 
the  chieftain  to  precede  him. 

Red  Feather  stood  a  minute  on  the  threshold,  peering  out  in  the 
darkness.  Everything  looked  favorable,  and  he  stepped  forward. 
Melville  was  directly  behind  him,  and  softly  closed  the  door  as  he 
left  the  cabin. 

The  Sioux,  instead  of  walking  straight  away  from  the  building, 
moved  stealthily  along  the  front,  passed  around  the  corner,  and 
started  southward.  By  this  means  he  interposed  the  cabin  between 
himself  and  the  party  on  the  hill. 

The  youth  was  almost  on  his  heels.  His  heart  beat  fast,  and  he 
was  eager  to  break  into  a  run  that  would  quickly  increase  the  dis- 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEArfHER 


'The  youth  was  almost  on  his  heels.     Hh»  heart  beat  fast,  and  he  was  eager  to  break  into  a  run.'-Page  98 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER      •        101 

tance  between  him  and  the  war-party.  He  was  about  to  suggest 
that  they  should  hasten,  when,  to  his  surprise,  he  perceived  that  his 
friend  was  moving  so  much  faster  than  he  that  he  threatened  to  leave 
him  out  of  sight  altogether.  Red  Feather  had  struck  a  peculiar 
gait.  It  looked  as  if  he  was  walking,  but  his  pace  was  a  loping  trot, 
in  which  the  feet  were  lifted  only  slightly  from  the  ground.  The 
movement  was  as  smooth  as  that  of  a  pacing  horse,  and  he  adopted 
it  in  order  to  save  Dot  from  jolting. 

The  Sioux,  on  emerging  from  the  building,  had  glanced  sharply 
about  him,  in  the  hope  of  catching  sight  of  his  own  pony,  or  one  be 
longing  to  a  warrior;  but  there  was  none  convenient,  and  he  dared 
not  wait. 

"Saladin  must  be  hovering  somewhere  in  the  neighborhood," 
thought  his  young  owner,  "  and  it  would  be  mighty  fine  if  I  could  run 
against  him,  but  it  doesn't  look  as  if  there  is  much  chance. " 

Red  Feather  continued  his  loping  gait  for  two  or  three  hundred 
yards,  when  he  once  more  dropped  to  a  walk;  but  his  steps  were  so 
lengthy  and  rapid  that  the  lad  had  to  trot  most  of  the  time  to  hold 
his  own. 

Melville  fancied  his  leader  was  changing  his  course,  but  he  could 
only  guess  its  direction.  Looking  back,  nothing  was  visible  of  the 
cabin  left  a  few  minutes  before.  Everything  was  dark,  the  country 
being  an  undulating  prairie.  Mr.  Clarendon  used  no  fences,  and 
the  ground  travelled  by  the  fugitives  had  not  been  broken. 

It  seemed  to  the  youth  that  the  most  natural  thing  for  Red  Feather 
to  do  was  to  make  directly  for  the  settlement,  ten  miles  to  the  north 
ward.  It  was  a  long  tramp,  but  the  two  were  capable  of  .doing  much 
more  without  special  fatigue. 


102      ,  THE  'JTORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

The  chieftain  did  not  speak  as  he  hurried  forward;  and  the  boy 
asked  him  no  questions,  content  to  wait  until  he  chose  to  tell  his  plans. 
His  pace  grew  more  moderate,  and  soon  became  easy  for  Melville 
to  keep  his  place  beside  him. 

It  need  not  be  said  that  both  made  good  use  of  their  eyes  and  ears. 
Although  beyond  sight  of  the  house,  it  was  too  soon  to  think  them 
selves  safe.  If  a  collision  took  place  between  Tall  Bear  and  the  new 
comers,  some  of  the  Indians  were  likely  to  be  skurrying  backwards 
and  forwards  on  their  ponies,  and  it  was  probable  they  would  come 
upon  the  fugitives. 

Whenever  Red  Feather  should  meet  his  fellows  there  would  be 
a  sensation,  but  he  was  not  the  warrior  to  shrink  the  test,  though 
he  wished  it  to  be  deferred  until  the  brother  and  sister  were  beyond 
the  resentment  of  every  one  of  his  tribe. 


CHAPTER  TEN 

AN    OLD    FRIEND SEPARATED 

SUDDENLY   Red   Feather   stopped.      Melville   did   the   same, 
wondering  what  the  cause  could  be. 

The  youth  stood  so  near  that  he  saw  the  chief  was  looking  to  the 
right,  as  though  he  had  heard  a  suspicious  sound  or  saw  something 
in  that  direction.  The  lad  gave  close  attention,  since  he  could  detect 
nothing. 

The  Indiaa  resumed  his  walk  more  slowly  than  before,  but  did 
m>t  utter  a  word.  His  glances,  however,  to  one  side  showed  he  was 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  103 

not  free  from  misgiving,  and  by-and-by  he  stopped  walking  and 
listened  intently  as  before. 

"What  is  it?"  asked  Melville,  giving  way  to  his  curiosity. 

"Me  hear  something,"  was  the  reply,  the  Indian  going  still  slower. 

"I  can't  detect  anything,"  said  the  lad,  as  though  the  fact  ought 
to  lighten  the  fears  of  the  other. 

Red  Feather  now  tenderly  placed  Dot  on  her  feet.  The  little  one 
was  half  asleep,  and  rubbed  her  eyes  after  the  manner  of  children 
when  disturbed. 

A  whispered  word  from  her  brother  kept  her  quiet,  and,  kneeling 
down,  Red  Feather  pressed  his  ear  to  the  ground,  holding  it  there 
for  a  full  minute.  Then  he  raised  his  head  a  few  inches,  looked  off 
into  the  darkness,  placed  the  side  of  his  face  against  the  ground  for 
a  few  seconds  more,  after  which  he  rose  to  his  feet. 

Instead  of  explaining,  he  turned  to  Melville. 

"  You  see  Red  Feather  do — you  do  same  as  him. " 

Melville  promptly  obeyed,  assuming  the  same  posture  that  his 
friend  had  taken.  Closing  his  eyes,  so  as  to  shut  out  everything 
that  might  distract  his  senses,  he  gave  all  his  efforts  to  that  of  hearing. 

Yes,  he  did  hear  something — just  the  faintest  irregular  beating 
on  the  ground — so  faint  indeed  that  he  would  not  have  believed  it 
anything  except  for  what  the  Sioux  had  said. 

"Hear  nuffin  ?"  asked  the  other,  as  the  boy  came  to  his  feet. 

"Yes,  I  think  I  did  hear  a  faint  noise." 

"What  him  be?" 

"That's  more  than  I  can  tell,  Red  Feather." 

"Hoss-—  hftar  hoss  walking— dat  what  hear." 

"Is  that  the  fact?"  asked  Melville,  somewhat  startled,  peering 


104  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

toward  the  same  point  of  the  compass  at  which  the  chief  had  gazed 
though  the  lad  had  no  other  idea  of  the  right  course. 

"Hoss — he  come  dis  way." 

"If  that  is  so  there  is  likely  to  be  someone  on  him,  and  I  don't 
think  it  is  well  for  us  to  meet  him." 

To  this  wise  remark  Red  Feather  gave  no  answer,  but  continued 
peering  in  the  same  direction  as  before. 

"  If  there  is  one  horseman  there  is  likely  to  be  more 

Melville  cut  short  his  own  words,  and  whistled  cautiously,  checking 
that  with  equal  suddenness,  through  fear  of  offending  his  friend. 

But  the  chief  showed  no  displeasure,  and,  before  anything  could 
be  said,  the  form  of  a  riderless  horse  came  out  of  the  gloom  and  trotted 
forward  with  a  faint  neigh  of  pleasure. 

"Saladin,  my  own  Saladin!"  exclaimed  the  delighted  youth,  fling 
ing  his  arms  around  the  outstretched  neck,  and  actually  touching 
his  lips  to  the  silken  nose  of  the  noble  steed. 

"Saladin,  old  fellow,  I'm  proud  of  you,"  said  Melville;  "the  Sioux 
did  their  best  to  steal  you  away  from  us,  but  you  were  too  smart  for 
them.  One  was  cruel  enough  to  shoot  at  you,  but  it  don't  look  as 
if  he  did  any  damage. " 

The  youth  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  place  his  foot  in  the 
stirrup,  and  leap  into  the  saddle,  where  he  was  "  at  home. " 

"Now,  Red  Feather,"  he  added,  "things  are  beginning  to  look  up; 
I  can  relieve  you  of  carrying  Dot;  the  truth  is  that  after  we  cross  the 
stream  I  shall  feel  safe.  Under  heaven,  we  owe  everything  to  you; 
but  you  need  go  no  farther  with  us. " 

"Ain't  safe,"  said  the  chieftain  sententiously ;  "Injins  all  round — 
Red  Feather  go  all  way  home  wid  pappoose. " 


THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


105 


"  That  is  very  kind,  but  I  can  relieve  you  of  your  burden. " 
"  Me  carry  pappoose, "  replied  the  Sioux,  moving  toward  the  little  one. 
"Dot,"  said  her  brother,  "which  would  you  rather  do — ride  on 
Saladin  with  me  or  let  Red  Feather  carry  you?" 


"  A  riderless  horse  came  out  of  the  gloom." 

"It's  a  good  deal  nicer  to  have  him  carry  me;  take  me,  Red 
Feather,  she  added,  reaching  out  her  arms. 

Melville  was  glad  to  hear  this  answer,  for  he  knew  it  would 
touch  the  chieftain,  whose  heart  had  become  wrapped  up  in  the 
sweet  little  one. 

Before  he  could  lift  her,  however,  he  paused,  and,  saying 
"Wait,"  again  knelt  down  with  his  ear  to  the  ground. 

The  result  was  satisfactory,  and,  remarking  that  he  heard  nothing 


10T  THE  STORY  OP  RED  FEATHER 

more,  he  stood  upon  his  feet,  stooped  over*  and  lifted  the  little  one 
to  her  old  place.     Then  the  flight  was  taken  up  as  before. 

Melville  held  Saladin  back,  so  as  to  follow  the  leader,  who  reached 
the  side  of  the  stream  a  few  minutes  later.  Objects  were  indistinct, 
but  the  youth  was  so  familiar  with  the  spot  that  he  recognized  it  as 
the  Upper  Crossing.  When  the  lad  would  have  lost  himself  the 
Sioux  had  gone  as  unerringly  to  the  spot  as  though  the  sun  were 
shining  overhead  to  guide  him. 

"Now,"  said  Melville,  as  they  waited  a  minute  or  two  on  the  brink, 
"there  is  no  need  for  you  to  wade  across,  and  wet  your  leggings  to 
the  knees;  it  can  be  easily  fixed." 

"Oogh!  heap  big  load  for  boss — carry  all." 

The  lad  laughed. 

"That  isn't  what  I  mean;  the  pony  is  strong  enough  to  bear  us, 
but  it  isn't  necessary;  I'll  ride  him  over,  and  then  send  him  back 
after  you." 

This  was  a  sensible  course,  for,  though  an  Indian  cares  little  for 
the  inconvenience  of  wading  through  water  of  considerable  depth, 
yet  he  will  not  do  so  when  there  in  any  practicable  means  of  avoid 
ing  it. 

"You  must  be  careful,"  added  Melville,  as  he  was  about  to  ride 
into  the  current,  "for  there  are  some  deep  places  which  the  horse  will 
have  to  skirt  closely,  If  he  steps  into  one,  he  will  go  over  his  depth, 
and  that  will  make  it  bad  for  you  and  Dot;  I  think  I  had  better  carry 
her  over  with  me." 

"Oogh!  Red  Feather  know  holes,  *  cause  he  fall  in  'em — mebbe 
you  fall  in  wid  pappoose — how  den,  eh  ?" 

"All  right,"  replied  the  youth  with  a  smile,  as  he  gave  the  word 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


107 


to  Saladin,  who  began  wading  with  the  same  snuffing  and  care  that 
his  kind  always  show  when  entering  a  body  of  water. 

His  rider  was  wise  enough  to  decide  that  the  safest  course  wac  to 
leave  everything    to   him,   for  he 
had    travelled     that     way     often 
enough    to   be  familiar   with    its 
dangers. 

He  narrowly  missed  plunging 
into  a  hole  near  the  other  bank, 
but  he  saved  himself,  and  finally 
emerged  on  the  farther  shore  with 
his  rider  dry-shod. 

"Now,  old  fellow,"  said  Mel 
ville,  affectionately  patting  his 
head,  "go  back  and  bring  over  Red 
Feather  and  Dot.  Try  not  to 
come  as  near  making  a  slip  as  you 
did  with  me." 

The  pony  showed  his  compre 
hension  Of  the  request  by  Stepping-  Go  back  and  bring  over  Red  Feather  and  Dot." 

at  once  in  the  stream  and  making  his  way  toward  the  other  shore. 

Long  before  the  little  party  reached  the  stream  just  crossed  by 
Melville  night  had  fully  come.  The  moon  did  not  rise  until  late 
in  the  evening,  and  the  darkness  was  such  that,  after  parting  with 
Saladin,  he  saw  him  vanish  when  he  was  no  more  than  half-way  across 
the  creek.  Of  course,  therefore,  Red  Feather  and  Dot  were  out  of 
sight  altogether. 

Melville  sat  down  on  the  sloping  bank,  with  his  rifle  across  his 


108  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

knees,  to  await  the  coming  of  his  friend.  In  the  stillness,  the  slightest 
sound  could  be  heard  a  long  way.  The  plashing  of  the  pony's 
feet  as  he  carefully  felt  his  way  through  the  water  was  so  plain  that 
it  was  easy  to  tell  every  step  he  took. 

The  youth  was  Jooking  idly  off  in  the  gloom  when  he  observed 
a  rapidly  growing  light  toward  the  southeast,  which  you  will  bear 
in  mind  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  stream.  He  watched  it  for 
a  minute  or  two,  when  the  cause  became  apparent. 

A  couple  of  miles  east  of  the  Clarendon  home  was  that  of  the 
nearest  neighbor,  He  was  without  any  family,  his  only  companion 
being  a  hired  man.  They  had  received  warning  of  the  impending 
danger  in  time  to  escape,  but  being  well  mounted  and  armed,  took 
a  different  direction  from  that  leading  toward  Bar  well,  whither  Mr. 
Clarendon  and  his  wife  hastened. 

They  were  gone,  but  their  property  remained.  The  buildings 
were  more  extensive  than  those  of  Mr.  Clarendon,  and  they  had  been 
fired  by  the  Sioux.  They  created  a  huge  glare  which  lit  up  the 
horizon  in  every  direction., 

"It  must  be,"  thought  Melville,  "that  Tall  Bear  and  his  warriors 
have  been  scared  away  by  the  appearance  of  white  men,  and  have 
touched  off  those  buildings  out  of  revenge.  If  Red  Feather  and  I 
could  have  only  known  that  friends  were  coming  we  could  have  stayed 
at  home.  I  wonder  they  didn't  try  to  fire  that  again,  now  that  they 
can  get  inside  and  have  so  much  better  chance. 

Melville  watched  the  glare  growing  brighter  and  brighter,  until 
it  suddenly  occurred  to  him  that  Red  Feather  was  a  long  time  in 
crossing  the  stream.  The  light  from  the  conflagration  brought  th? 
opposite  shore  into  faint  view,  but  failed  to  revea}  the  Sioux,  While 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  109 

the  youth  was  looking  and  wondering,  however,  he  heard  the  splash 
ing  of  water  and  observed  Saladin  making  his  way  back. 

But,  instead  of  doing  so  at  the  regular  ferry-place,  he  had  gone  some 
distance  above,  where  the  depth  was  greater.  Even  while  staring 
at  the  pony,  the  animal  sank  down  so  low  that  it  was  plain  he  was 
swimming. 

This  of  itself  was  curious,  without  the  additional  fact  that  there  was 
no  one  upon  his  back;  he  was  returning,  as  may  be  said,  empty 
handed. 

As  you  may  well  believe,  Melville  was  startled  and  alarmed;  some 
thing  unusual  must  have  happened  on  the  other  shore.  There  could 
be  no  doubt  that  Saladin  had  gone  entirely  across,  and  now  came 
back  without  the  chief  who  expected  to  ride  over  the  ford. 

The  lad  rose  and  walked  down  to  the  edge  of  the  water  to  meet 
his  steed.  The  latter  was  obliged  to  swim  only  a  short  distance, 
when  the  depth  became  so  shallow  that  his  body  rose  above  the  sur 
face,  and  he  quickly  stepped  out  on  dry  land. 

"What  can  this  mean?"  muttered  Melville  examining  the  wetted 
saddle,  bridle,  and  accoutrements;  "were  you  sent  back,  Saladin, 
or  did  you  come  of  your  own  accord?  Ah,  if  you  had  the  gift  of 
speech!" 

It  seemed  to  the  lad  that  he  could  discern  something  moving  on 
the  other  side,  but,  with  the  help  of  the  glare  of  the  distant  fire,  he 
could  not  make  it  out. 

He  ventured  to  signal  to  Red  Feather  by  means  of  the  whistle 
with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  summon  Saladin.  The  Sioux 
was  stfre  to  identify  it  if  it  reached  his  ears. 

The  signal  was  emitted  with  such  care  that  it  could  not  have  been 


110  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

heard  more  than  a  hundred  yards  away,  and  the  youth  listened  with 
a  rapidly  beating  heart  for  the  reply. 

It  came,  but  in  a  far  different  form  than  was  expected  or  desired, 
i'he  sounds  showred  that  other  animals  had  entered  the  water  and 
were  approaching  the  opposite  bank.  At  this  juncture,  too,  the 
glare  from  the  burning  buildings  increased  to  that  extent  that  the 
other  shore  came  out  more  distinctly  than  ever. 

To  his  dismay  Melville  observed  that  the  bank  was  lined  with 
mounted  Indians,  three  of  whom  had  already  ridden  into  the  stream 
and  were  urging  their  ponies  across.  They  were  doing  this,  too, 
with  a  skill  which  left  no  doubt  that  they  knew  all  about  the  holes 
into  which  one  was  likely  to  plunge. 

Where  these  Sioux — as  they  undoubtedly  were — could  have  come 
from  with  such  abruptness  was  more  than  the  startled  lad  could  tell, 
though  he  naturally  supposed  they  belonged  to  the  party  that  had 
fired  the  burning  buildings.  Whether  they  were  members  of  Tall 
Bear's  band  or  an  independent  body  could  not  be  told  just  then,  and 
Melville  had  no  time  or  inclination  to  puzzle  himself  over  the  question. 

It  was  enough  to  know  that  he  and  his  pony  were  in  imminent 
danger,  and  that  not  a  second  was  to  be  lost  in  leaving  the  spot. 

He  was  in  the  saddle  in  a  twinkling,  and  turned  the  head  ol  Saladin 
to  the  north. 

"A  good  deal  depends  on  you,"  he  said,  patting  the  neck  of  the 
noble  animal;  "we  have  a  rugged  path  to  travel,  and  there  isn't  much 
chance  to  show  them  what  you  can  do  in  the  way  of  speed,  but  I 
know  they  can't  beat  you." 

I  told  you  in  the  earlier  part  of  this  story  that  the  upper  trail,  as 
it  was  called,  was  much  more  rugged  and  difficult  to  traverse  than 


THE  STORY  OF  REI>  FEATHER 


111 


'To  his  dismay  Melville  observed  that  the  bank  was  lined  with  mounted  Indians." — Page  110 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  113 

the  lower  one,  which  fact  accounted  for  its  general  abandonment  by 
those  who  had  occasion  to  cross  the  stream.  Had  the  ground  for 
some  distance  been  open  prairie,  Saladin  would  have  shown  a  clean 
pair  of  heels  to  his  enemies,  and  speedily  borne  his  master  beyond 
danger;  but  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  bank  of  the  stream  the 
surface  became  so  broken  that  it  was  difficult  for  a  horse  to  travel 
faster  than  a  walk. 

But  our  young  friend  did  not  hesitate  to  assume  the  risk,  and 
Saladin  instantly  broke  into  a  canter,  which,  to  say  the  least,  was 
the  equal  in  speed  of  any  pace  his  pursuers  dare  attempt.  The 
difficulty,  however,  was  that  the  latter  were  already  so  close  that  a 
volley  from  them  could  not  fail  to  do  damage.  The  fact  that  they 
had  some  distance  yet  to  travel  through  the  water,  where  their  ponies 
could  not  be  forced  off  a  walk,  was  a  vast  help  to  Melville,  who 
improved  the  brief  space  to  that  extent  that  he  was  almost  out  of 
sight  when  the  horsemen  forced  their  animals  up  the  bank  and  struck 
into  a  gallop. 

Melville  rode  a  reckless  gait,  which  proved  to  be  the  wisest  thing 
he  could  do;  for,  though  Saladin  came  near  stumbling  more  than 
once,  he  did  not  fall,  and  drew  so  far  away  from  his  pursuers  that  he 
soon  left  them  out  of  sight.  Satisfying  himself  of  this,  the  youth 
abruptly  drew  him  to  one  side,  forced  him  among  some  rocks 
and  bushes,  faced  about,  and  held  him  motionless. 

"I  don't  know  what  has  happened  to  Red  Feather  and  Dot,"  he 
said,  "and  it  may  be  they  don't  need  my  help;  but  I  shan't  do  any 
thing  that  looks  like  deserting  them — sh!" 

At  that  moment,  the  hoofs  of  the  pursuing  horses  fell  on  his  ear 
in  his  hiding-place,  and  he  knew  the  three  Sioux  wrere  at  hand. 


114  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

AT   THE    LOWER    CROSSING TALL   BEARDS   LAST   FAILURE 

NOTHING  could  have  shown  more  strongly  the  confidence  of 
Melville  Clarendon  in  Saladin  than  the  course  he  followed 
in  trying  to  throw  the  pursuing  Sioux  off  his  track. 

He  had  halted  at  a  distance  of  less  than  fifty  feet  from  the  path, 
and,  sitting  erect  on  the  back  of  the  steed,  he  waited  for  the  three 
Indians  to  ride  past. 

At  such  times  a  horse  is  quicker  than  its  rider  to  discover  the 
presence  of  other  animals,  and  the  temptation  to  make  it  known 
by  a  whinny  or  neigh  has  often  upset  all.  calculations  and  overthrown 
the  plans  of  the  fugitive  or  scout. 

Melville  knew  the  peril  from  this  source,  but  he  had  little  mis 
giving  about  Saladin.  He  softly  patted  his  neck,  and  knew  he  under 
stood  the  situation  well  enough  to  hold  his  peace;  but  how  would  it 
be  with  the  other  animals — would  they  betray  their  discovery  of 
the  motionless  steed  at  the  side  of  the  trail?  A  faint  neigh  from 
them  would  be  certain  to  give  their  cunning  riders  a  clue  to  the  truth ; 
and,  checking  their  own  horses,  they  would  leap  to  the  ground,  and 
be  upon  the  youth  before  he  could  dash  into  cover. 

You  may  understand,  therefore,  the  anxiety  of  Melville  when 
through  the  gloom  he  caught  the  dim  outlines  of  the  first  horseman, 
as  he  came  opposite,  closely  followed  by  the  others. 

The  suspense  was  short.  While  the  boy  held  his  breath,  the 
last  of  the  three  horsemen  vanished  in  the  gloom,  and  he  was  placed 
at  the  rear,  with  enemies  on  both  sides  of  him. 


-f HE  STOR1   OF  RED  FEATHER 


115 


The  ruse  of  Melville  had  succeeded,  and  the  question  now  to  be 
answered  was  as  to  what  use  he  should  make  of  his  opportunity, 
if  such  it  should  prove  to  be  ? 

It  would  seem  that  nothing  could  be  more  reckless  than  for  the 


"  The  last  of  the  three  horsemen  vanished  in  the  gloom." 

youth,  after  eluding  his  three  immediate  pursuers,  to  return  over  the 
trail  to  the  crossing,  but  only  a  moment's  thought  was  necessary 
for  him  to  decide  to  do  that  very  thing. 

From  where  he  sat  on  his  pony,  screened  by  bushes  and  rocks,  he 
observed  that  the  light  from  the  burning  buildings  to  the  south-east 
was  fast  diminishing.  The  fire  had  been  rapid,  and  before  long  total 
darkness  would  rest  on  the  stream  and  plain  again.  It  would  there 
fore  be  safe  for  him  to  approach  the  edge  of  the  creek,  provided  none 
of  the  remaining  Sioux  had  crossed  over. 

Waiting  only  long  enough  to  make  sure  that  the  three  Indians 
were  beyond  reach  of  the  sound  of  Saladin's  hoofs,  he  gently  jerked 
the  bit  and  spoke  softly  to  him.  The  steed  stepped  forward  with 


116  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

as  much  care  as  his  rider  could  have  shown,  and  soon  stood  in  the 
path  again. 

Here  Melville  held  him  motionless  a  moment  or  two,  while  he 
peered  around  and  listened.  Nothing  was  seen  or  heard  of  the 
Indians,  and,  heading  toward  the  stream,  the  horse  advanced  on  a 
gentle  walk. 

Melville  kept  his  pony  at  a  walk  for  no  other  reason  than  to  prevent 
any  betrayal  from  the  sound  of  his  feet.  The  distance  was  slight, 
and  soon  he  came  to  a  halt  on  the  very  edge  of  the  stream,  while  the 
rider,  peering  across,  failed  to  catch  the  faintest  outline  of  the  horse 
men  that  were  in  sight  a  short  time  before. 

Nothing  could  have  justified  the  risk  of  attempting  to  ride  to  the 
other  bank ;  for  if  the  Sioux  were  in  the  neighborhood  they  would  not 
only  discover  the  youth,  but  would  have  him  at  such  disadvantage 
that  escape  would  be  out  of  the  qusetion. 

The  lad  held  no  such  purpose,  but,  turning  his  animal  to  the  right, 
began  making  his  way  down  stream,  toward  the  Lower  Crossing, 
near  his  own  home.  It  was  easy  to  do  this  by  keeping  close  to  the 
water,  since  the  unevenness  of  the  ground  did  not  begin  until  a  few 
yards  or  rods  from  the  bank. 

The  darkness  was  such  that  Saladin  was  left  to  himself,  Melville 
knowing  he  could  give  him  no  help  by  any  attempt  at  guiding  him. 
The  sagacious  beast  thrust  his  nose  forward,  arid,  like  an  elephant, 
crossing  the  stream,  seemed  to  feel  every  foot  of  the  way. 

Despite  the  extreme  care,  he  had  not  taken  a  dozen  steps  when  a 
rolling  stone  caused  him  to  stumble,  and  the  rider  narrowly  missed 
taking  a  header  over  his  ears.  Saladin  quickly  recovered  himself, 
but  at  the  moment  of  doing  so  the  youth  was  startled  by  a  whistle 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  117 

from  the  other  shore,  instantly  answered  by  a  similar  call  from  the 
bank  along  which  he  was  riding. 

This  proved  that  not  only  were  the  main  party  waiting,  but  the 
three  Sioux  that  had  started  to  pursue  the  young  fugitive  had  re 
turned. 

But  if  the  stumble  of  Saladin  had  revealed  his  whereabouts,  Mel 
ville  was  still  in  great  peril.  Without  waiting  to  assure  himself  on 
the  point,  he  urged  his  pony  to  a  brisk  walk,  never  pausing  until 
fully  two  hundred  yards  were  placed  behind  him.  Then,  when  he 
looked  back  and  listened,  he  was  convinced  his  fears  were  groundless, 
and  it  was  a  simple  coincidence  that  the  signals  which  startled  him 
were  emitted  at  the  moment  of  the  slight  mishap  to  his  horse. 

So  far  as  he  could  judge,  he  had  a  clear  course  now,  and  he  allowed 
Saladin  to  advance  as  rapidly  as  he  chose. 

His  chief  distress  was  concerning  Dot.  The  withdrawal  of  Red 
Feather  was  so  sudden  that  some  unusual  cause  must  have  been  at 
the  bottom.  The  lad  could  not  help  thinking  the  chieftain  should 
have  given  him  a  hint  of  his  course  before  the  youth  learned  it  at 
such  a  risk  to  himself. 

He  was  not  without  fear  that  harm  had  befallen  his  beloved  sister, 
but  his  confidence  in  Red  Feather  was  perfect,  and  he  knew  that  he 
would  do  his  best  to  take  care  of  her. 

Convinced  that  the  Sioux  at  the  Upper  Crossing  were  the  ones  that 
had  fired  the  buildings  to  the  south-east,  and  that  they  belonged  to 
Tall  Bear's  band,  it  followed  that  something  must  have  taken  place 
to  drive  them  from  the  siege  of  Melville's  home. 

It  might  be  that,  learning  of  the  flight  of  the  children,  they  had 
scattered  to  search  for  them.  It  would  seem  that  they  were  small 


118  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

game  for  such  a  big  effort,  but  the  ill  success  that  had  marked  Tall 
Bear's  brief  career  as  a  raider  may  have  made  him  glad  of  even  a 
small  degree  of  success.  Besides,  it  might  be  that  only  a  portion  of 
his  party  was  on  the  hunt. 

But  to  Melville  the  most  likely  belief  was  the  one  formed  some  time 
before,  to  the  effect  that  company  whose  appearance  had  caused 
such  excitement  were  white  men  numerous  and  strong  enough  to 
send  the  Sioux  skurrying  away  to  avoid  a  fight  with  them. 

It  was  this  belief  which  caused  Melville  to  seek  the  Lower  Crossing, 
when  there  was  much  risk  involved  in  the  attempt. 

"If  father  and  a  lot  of  his  friends  have  scared  off  Tall  Bear  and 
his  Sioux,  they  can't  be  far  off 

"Climb  down  thar,  pard,  mighty  quick!" 

It  was  a  startling  summons  that  thus  broke  in  upon  the  reverie 
of  Melville,  but  he  quickly  recovered  from  the  shock,  knowing  by 
the  voice  that  it  was  that  of  a  friend. 

He  had  reached  the  Lower  Crossing,  when  a  horseman  that  was 
awaiting  him  suddenly  loomed  in  sight  through  the  gloom  ,  and  hailed 
him  with  the  rough  command  to  dismount. 

"I  don't  see  why  I  should  get  off  my  horse  when  he  isn't  stolen," 
replied  the  youth  with  a  laugh. 

"Wai,  to  be  sure,  if  it  isn't  young  Clarendon!  Hello,  Archie, 
here's  your  younker  (boy),  sure  as  you  live." 

It  was  the  famous  scout  Nat  Trumbull  who  spoke  these  cheery 
words,  and,  before  the  youth  knew  it,  it  looked  as  if  a  dozen  horse 
men  had  sprung  from  the  ground  and  surrounded  him. 

"We're  looking  for  Injins,"  added  Nat;  "thar  was  plenty  of  'em 
a  while  ago,  but  they've  become  powerful  scarce  all  of  a  sudden. " 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  119 

"I've  seen  more  than  I  wished/'  replied  Melville,  "but  I  guess 
you've  frightened  them  off 

At  this  juncture  the  boy's  father  rode  hurriedly  forward  through 
the  group,  and,  leaning  from  his  saddle,  gratefully  pressed  the 
hand  of  his  son,  and  anxiously  asked  about  Dot. 

The  youth,  as  briefly  as  he  could,  told  the  story  which  is  familiar 
to  you.  The  amazement  of  the  listeners  was  great,  and  to  more  than 
one  it  seemed  impossible  that  the  detested  Red  Feather  should  have 
proved  himself  a  friend  instead  of  the  most  cruel  enemy  of  the  children. 

"Why,  it's  him  that  we  war  after  more  than  any  one  else,"  said 
Nat  Trumbull;  "but  if  he's  made  a  change  like  that,  why  I'll  shake 
hands  with  him  and  call  the  account  squar." 

Mr.  Clarendon's  distress  over  the  uncertainty  about  Dot  was  so 
great  that  the  thoughts  of  all  were  turned  toward  her;  and  when  he 
asked  that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  trace  her  and  Red  Feather, 
Nat  and  the  rest  gave  their  eager  consent,  and  the  start  was  made 
without  a  minute's  unnecessary  delay. 

Nat  Trumbull  was  disappointed  because  of  his  failure  to  locate 
Tall  Bear  and  his  band.  The' outbreak  of  the  Sioux  was  so  sudden 
that  even  those  who  were  best  acquainted  with  their  ways  did  not 
believe  it  was  so  near,  but  when  the  truth  became  known  the  authori 
ties  saw  the  only  right  course  to  take. 

There  were  many  hundred  Sioux  within  the  boundaries  of  Minne 
sota  at  that  time,  and  unless  the  revolt  was  suppressed  at  once  and 
with  a  strong  hand  it  would  rapidly  spread,  with  the  most  lamentable 
consequences.  There  was  a  hasty  organization  and  gathering  of 
forces  to  start  after  the  raiders  and  bring  them  to  terms  before  they 
should  gain  courage  by  any  important  successes. 


120  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

It  was  the  ardent  desire  of  the  rangers  under  Trumbull  to  force 
Red  Feather  and  his  band  into  a  fight  where  there  would  be  no  get 
ting  away  on  either  side.  The  scout  meant  to  hit  hard  when  he  did 
strike. 

This  statement  will  make  clear  the  course  of  the  irregular  cavalry — 
as  they  may  called  be — when  they  became  aware  that  the  Indians 
whom  they  were  after  were  gathered  around  the  home  of  Archibald 
Clarendon.  That  gentleman  was  eager  for  himself  and  friends  to 
dash  forward,  but  Nat  reminded  him  that  the  presence  of  the  Sioux 
and  the  fact  that,  although  the  barn  was  a  mass  of  ashes  and  smoking 
riuns,  his  house  stood  intact  were  proofs  that  the  raiders  had  been 
unable  to  burn  down  the  cabin  or  secure  his  children. 

Such  being  the  case,  Trumbull  began  manoeuvring  with  a  view  of 
getting  matters  in  such  a  shape  that  a  fight  would  be  certain.  There 
were  several  glasses  among  the  rangers,  and  in  the  deepening  darkness 
they  gave  important  aid. 

It  was  evident  from  the  manner  of  the  Sioux  that  they  were  not  sure 
of  the  identity  of  the  horsemen.  Could  they  have  used  spy-glasses 
like  the  white  men,  they  could  not  have  failed  to  learn  the  truth. 

Trumbull  turned  this  uncertainty  to  his  own  advantage.  He 
purposely  held  his  men  back  to  prevent  the  truth  becoming  known; 
but  as  the  darkness  increased  he  kept  edging  to  the  southward, 
spreading  the  horsemen  out  to  an  extent  that  would  have  proved 
costly  had  the  Sioux  been  sagacious  enough  to  take  advantage  of  it. 

Nat's  force  was  too  small  to  attempt  to  surround  the  Indians,  and 
he  was  still  hopeful  of  forcing  them  into  a  fight.  He  did  not  lose  a 
minute,  but  worked  farther  and  farther  along,  until  all  were  far 
from  that  part  of  the  horizon  where  first  seen. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 


"Pressed  the  hand  of  his  son,  and  anxiownf-    asked  about  Dot."— Page  1 19 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  123 

But  while  Nat  Trumbull  was  vigorously  pushing  things,  it  became 
known  that  two  of  the  Sioux  were  hovering  near  and  watching  every 
movement.  That  these  fellows  were  wonderfully  cunning  and  quick 
was  proved  by  their  escape  when  both  were  charged  by  the  horse 
men.  Despite  everything  that  could  be  done,  these  scouts  made  off, 
and  of  course  carried  their  important  news  to  their  chief. 

The  flight  of  the  Sioux  scouts  caused  a  change  in  the  plans  of  Nat 
Trumbull.  Knowing  it  was  useless  to  try  to  surprise  the  dusky 
rogues,  he  brought  his  men  together  and  rode  rapidly  toward  the 
Clarendon  cabin.  He  hoped  to  arrive  before  the  raiders  could  get 
away,  and  to  administer  sharp  punishment  to  them. 

Trumbull  approached  the  house  and  smoking  ruins  with  carer 
for  there  was  abundant  chance  for  their  enemies  to  hide  themselves 
and  give  the  white  men  a  rattling  volley  before  they  could  escape  the 
peril.  It  required  considerable  time  for  the  rangers  to  learn  that  none 
of  their  enemies  were  there,  and  then  Mr.  Clarendon  himself  discov 
ered  the  door  of  his  house  open.  Still  uncertain  of  the  truth,  he  and 
his  friends  waited  some  time  before  daring  to  venture  within. 

The  conclusion  of  this  examination  was  the  natural  one,  that  the 
Sioux  had  fled,  taking  the  children  with  them.  But,  as  it  was  clear 
they  could  not  have  gone  far,  Trumbull  galloped  with  most  of  his 
men  to  the  crossing,  in  the  hope  of  coming  upon  the  mauraders 
there. 

He  had  no  more  than  fairly  convinced  himself  that  he  was  in  error 
again  when  Melville  Clarendon  rode  up  on  Saladin,  his  father  mak- 
iny  his  appearance  shortly  after. 

The  light  in  the  south-east  had  attracted  the  notice  of  the  scouts 
some  time  before,  and  the  story  told  by  the  youth  led  Trumbull  to 


124  THE   STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

believe  the  main  body  was  near  the  Upper  Crossing,  where  doubtless 
they  had  made  Red  Feather  prisoner. 

Accordingly,  the  dozen  horsemen  set  their  faces  in  that  direction 
and  struck  into  a  rapid  gallop.  The  leader  was  hopeful  that,  if  the 
slippery  scamps  were  located,  he  could  reach  them.  He  believed 
his  men  were  as  well  mounted  as  they,  and,  if  only  a  fair  chance  were 
given,  they  would  compel  the  others  to  fight. 

Nat  rode  at  the  head,  with  Mr.  Clarendon  and  Melville  just  behind 
him.  The  keen  eyes  of  the  ranger  peered  through  the  darkness  into 
which  he  was  plunging  so  swiftly,  on  the  alert  for  the  first  sign  of  an 
enemy.  As  he  drew  near  the  Upper  Crossing  he  slackened  his  pace 
slightly,  those  behind  doing  the  same,  with  the  exception  of  the 
settler  and  his  son,  who  found  themselves  at  the  side  of  the  leader. 

"Helloa!  there's  one  of  'em!"  exclaimed  Nat. 

The  three  saw  the  figure  of  an  Indian  running  over  the  ground  with 
great  swiftness.  Knowing  his  danger,  he  flung  aside  his  blankets, 
so  that  his  flight  was  unimpeded,  and  his  exhibition  of  speed 
excited  the  admiration  of  his  pursuers. 

"Let  him  alone,"  added  Trumbull;  "I  don't  want  any  one  else  to 
interfere — he  belongs  to  me.9' 

And  then,  to  the  astonishment  of  every  one,  the  scout  made  a  flying 
leap  from  the  saddle,  and  bounded  after  the  fugitive  on  foot. 

It  was  an  odd  chivalrous  feeling  which  led  him  to  do  this.  In 
asmuch  at  the  warrior  had  no  pony,  Trumbull  meant  that  the  contest 
between  them  should  be  without  any  unfair  advantage  to  either 
party. 

The  Sioux  was  running  like  a  deer,  but  the  white  man  beat  him. 
Nat  Trumbull  is  to-day  one  of  the  fleetest  runners  in  the  north-west, 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  121 

and  no  doubt  he  felt  a  natural  wish  to  show  this  Indian,  as  well  as 
his  own  friends,  what  he  could  do  in  that  line. 

It  may  be  said  that  from  the  first  the  fugitive  was  doomed;  for  if 
Trumbull  should  prove  unequal  to  the  task  of  running  him  down, 
the  cavalry  would  do  it,  and  if  his  strangely  absent  comrades  should 
rally  to  his  help,  they  would  be  fiercely  attacked  in  turn.  Since  the 
white  man  quickly  proved  his  superiority,  it  must  be  admitted  that 
the  outlook  for  the  fleeing  warrior  was  discouraging  from  the  be 
ginning. 

Steadily  and  rapidly  Nat  gained  on  the  desperate  fugitive,  until, 
in  less  time  than  would  be  supposed,  he  was  almost  at  his  elbow. 

"Surrender,  pard!"  called  out  the  scout;  "for  you  don't  know 
,  ,  T,  ...  ,  Bancroft  Libfaf» 

how  to  run,  and  I  ve  got  you,  dead  sure. 

Realizing  that  there  was  no  escape  by  flight,  the  Sioux  dropped 
his  rifle,  and,  whipping  out  his  hunting-knife  while  still  fleeing  at 
the  highest  bent  of  his  speed,  he  stopped  short,  wheeled  about,  and 
struck  viciously  at  his  pursuer  with  the  weapon. 

But  the  veteran  scout  was  expecting  that  very  thing,  and  parrying 
the  blow  with  admirable  skill,  he  sent  the  knife  spinning  a  dozen 
feet  to  one  side.  Dropping  his  own  gun,  Trumbull  then  dashed  in  and 
seized  the  warrior  around  the  waist. 

"It's  you,  Tall  Bear,  is  it  ?"  said  he,  recognizing  his  old  antagonist* 
"we'll  settle  this  again  by  a  wrestling-match.  If  you  can  throw  me. 
we'll  let  you  go  without  a  scratch;  but  if  I  fling  you,  then  you're  mine. 
Keep  back  boys,  and  may  the  best  man  win!" 

It  was  a  curious  scene,  but  the  contest  could  not  have  been  fairer. 
Trumbull  waited  till  his  opponent  had  secured  his  best  hold,  for  Tall 
Bear  was  as  quick  to  identify  his  rival  as  the  latter  was  to  recognize  him . 


126  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

The  scout  waited  till  the  chief  said  he  was  ready.  Then,  like  a 
flash,  he  dropped  to  a  low  stooping  posture,  seized  each  leg  of  the 
other  below  the  knee  in  a  grip  of  iron,  and  straightening  up  with 
marvelous  quickness  and  power  sent  Tall  Bear  sprawling  like  a  frog 
through  the  air,  and  over  his  head. 


"  Sent  Tall  Bear  sprawling  like  a  frog  through  the  air," 

Despite  the  remarkable  agility  of  the  Sioux,  he  could  not  save  him 
self,  but  alighted  on  his  crown  with  tremendous  force. 

Not  the  least  amusing  part  of  this  contest  was  that,  at  the  instant 
Tall  Bear  started  on  his  aerial  flight,  he  call  out — 

"Me  surrender!     Tall  Bear  good  Injin — he  lub  white " 

The  crash  of  his  head  against  the  solid  ground  checked  his  words, 
and  left  for  ever  uncertain  what  the  chieftain  meant  to  say.  He 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  127 

quickly  recovered  from  the  shock,  for  possibly,  it  may  be  said,  he 
was  becoming  accustomed  to  such  rough  treatment  and  could  stand 
it  better  than  at  first. 

In  the  course  of  a  minute  or  two  Tall  Bear  staggered  uncertainly 
to  his  feet,  and  looking  up  in  the  faces  of  the  horsemen  who  were  on 
every  side  of  him,  was  compelled  to  admit  that  he  was  their  prisoner. 

So  it  proved  that  the  last  essay  of  the  chieftain  who  was  on  a  little 
scout  for  himself  was  the  greatest  failure  of  them  all,  and  in  the  end 
it  was  fortunate  that  such  was  the  fact;  for  when  the  strong  arm  of 
the  authorities  was  laid  upon  the  raiders  the  chief  had  no  trouble  in 
proving  that  he  had  inflicted  no  serious  harm  to  the  settlers.  True, 
he  had  destroyed  some  property,  and  tried  hard  to  do  greater  damage; 
but,  as  I  have  said,  he  failed  utterly. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE 

CONCLUSION 

BUT  for  his  solicitude  for  Dot  Clarendon,  Red  Feather  never 
would  have  made  the  error  he  did,  when  waiting  on  the 
southern  bank  of  the  Upper  Crossing  for  the  return  of  the  pony  which 
was  to  carry  them  across  to  the  waiting  Melville  on  the  other  side. 

The  weather  was  still  crisp  and  chilly,  and,  when  he  found  himself 
alone,  he  began  carefully  gathering  the  blanket  around  the  precious 
form,  so,  as  to  keep  away  all  cold  from  her  body.  No  mother  could 
have  handled  her  more  gently.  His  left  arm  remained  immovable, 
while  his  right  fingered  about  her.  He  was  quick  to  discover  thai 


128  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

she  was  in  a  sound  slumber — a  pleasant  proof  of  the  success  of  the 
grim  warrior  in  the  role  of  a  soothing  friend  to  the  imperilled  little 
one. 

Softly  raising  a  corner  of  the  blanket,  he  looked  down  in  the  sweet 
face,  which,  though  seen  dimly,  was  as  the  face  of  an  angel.  Pure 
and  holy  emotions  were  stirred  in  that  dark  heart  as  never  before  that 
evening.  He  had  parted  his  lips  to  utter  something  in  his  own 
language,  when  he  was  sharply  reminded  of  his  remissness  by  the 
clamp  of  horse's  feet.  Quickly  replacing  the  blanket,  he  looked 
behind  him,  and  saw  outlined  against  the  glare  of  the  burning  build 
ings  the  figures  of  six  or  eight  horsemen,  so  close  that  it  was  useless 
for  him  to  think  of  hiding  or  getting  away. 

Red  Feather  made  no  attempt  to  do  either;  for,  like  most  of  his 
people,  he  had  a  strong  sense  of  dignity,  which  would  have  been  dis 
turbed  by  such  action.  His  chief  regret  was  that  the  horsemen  had 
come  upon  him  so  suddenly  that  his  action  with  the  blanket  must 
have  betrayed,  or  at  least  raised  a  suspicion  of,  the  truth.  Had  he 
but  a  minute's  time,  he  would  have  gathered  the  covering  about  the 
form  in  such  a  way  that  in  the  darkness  he  might  have  kept  secret 
the  fact  that  he  carried  a  small  child  in  his  arms. 

His  supposition  was  that  these  Indians  were  his  own  warriors;  and 
a  curious  meeting  must  follow  between  them  and  the  chief  whom 
they  thought  dead,  unless  they  had  learned  of  his  flight  from  the  house, 
in  which  event  a  troublesome  explanation  must  be  made  to  them. 

But  the  chief  was  pleased  to  observe  that  the  men  belonged  to  still 
another  band,  that  had  come  from  the  south-east  on  their  way  to 
the  Lower  Crossing,  in  the  hope  of  intercepting  the  settlers  and  their 
families  fleeing  in  the  direction  of  Barwell. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  129 

To  use  a  common  expression,  Red  Feather  decided  to  "take  the 
bull  by  the  horns."  He  was  well  known  and  held  in  fear  by  all  the 
warriors.  He  said  he  had  captured  a  small  child,  stepping  forward 
and  parting  the  blanket  enough  for  them  to  see  her  in  his  arms,  and 
adding  that  he  meant  to  take  her  home  to  his  own  wigwam  as  a  present 
to  his  squaw.  If  the  latter  did  not  want  her,  he  would  put  her  out 
of  the  way,  or  hold  her  for  ransom. 

Had  the  new-comers  possessed  the  courage,  they  might  have  asked 
Red  Feather  some  troublesome  questions,  but  they  feared  to  rouse 
his  anger. 

He  tried  to  keep  their  attention  away  from  the  other  shore;  but 
just  then  the  glare  from  the  burning  buildings  became  so  bright  that 
he  failed,  and  not  only  was  Saladin  observed  making  his  way  to  that 
bank,  but  Melville  was  discovered  as  he  rose  to  his  feet. 

Red  Feather  affected  great  surprise  at  the  discovery,  and  offered 
no  objection  when  the  three  Sioux  set  out  to  capture  the  lad  and  his 
valuable  animal. 

In  the  presence  of  these  warriors  Red  Feather  was  his  old,  domineer 
ing,  ugly  self.  He  spoke  sharply,  and  finally  ordered  one  of  the  horse 
men  to  dismount  and  give  up  his  animal.  He  offered  no  theory  to 
account  for  the  appearance  of  the  boy  on  the  other  shore,  or  for  the 
singular  fact  that  he  was  on  foot  himself. 

The  promptness  "7ith  w^hich  his  order  was  obeyed  would  have 
been  amusing  under  other  circumstances.  Red  Feather  took  pos 
session  of  his  property  secured  in  this  rather  questionable  manner, 
and  then  calmly  awaited  the  return  of  the  three  who  had  set  out  to 
capture  Melville  and  Saladin. 

His  fear  was  that  the  main  party  under  Tall  Bear  might  arrive  and 


130  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

complicate  matters ;  for  the  chief  had  formed  the  conclusion  that  the 
strange  horsemen  whose  appearance  allowed  him  to  escape  so  easily 
from  the  cabin  were  white  men,  and  that  the  main  band  of  Sioux 
therefore  had  withdrawn. 

By-and-by  the  warriors  returned  from  the  other  side,  with  the 
announcement  that  the  lad  had  escaped,  and  it  was  useless  to  follow 
him  farther. 

There  was  no  chief  with  the  smaller  company,  and  Red  Feather 
told  them  that,  since  there  was  no  chance  of  finding  any  settlers  in 
the  neighborhood,  they  would  ride  back  to  their  own  villages,  which 
lay  to  the  south-east. 

The  start  was  made,  and  the  horsemen  passed  fully  a  mile  in  grim 
silence.  At  the  end  of  the  mile  he  ordered  them  to  keep  the  course 
they  were  following,  while  he  alone  turned  to  the  right  in  quest  of 
Tall  Bear  and  his  band  of  Muddy  Creek  Sioux. 

Left  to  himself,  Red  Feather  rode  a  short  distance  to  the  right, 
and  then,  changing  his  course  due  north,  struck  the  pony  into  a 
gallop. 

He  was  now  heading  toward  the  home  of  the  Clarendons,  where 
he  had  met  so  many  singular  experiences  during  the  earlier  part  of 
the  evening.  He  held  Dot  with  such  care  that  she  continued  sleep 
ing  as  sweetly  as  if  lying  in  her  own  bed  at  home. 

Never  was  Red  Feather  more  cautious  and  skilful.  Thoroughly 
trained  in  woodcraft,  and  an  adept  in  all  the  cunning  of  his  people, 
he  used  those  gifts  with  success,  and,  though  he  approached  close 
to  the  party  of  Sioux  which  were  hurrying  away  from  the  vengeance 
of  the  white  men,  they  never  suspected  the  fact,  and  the  meeting 
was  avoided. 


THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER  131 

Within  the  succeeding  half -hour  his  listening  ear  caught  the  neigh 
of  a  horse  which  had  detected  his  own  while  the  two  were  invisible. 
Instantly  the  chieftain  brought  the  pony  to  a  standstill,  and  peered 
and  listened  with  all  the  acuteness  he  possessed. 

The  horsemen  were  coming  that  way,  and  would  soon  be  in  sight. 
At  the  very  moment  their  figures  were  beginning  to  outline  themselves 


"  The  horseman  were  coming  that  way." 

he  emitted  a  whistle,  precisely  the  same  as  that  used  by  Melville 
Clarendon  when  he  signaled  to  him  from  the  Upper  Crossing. 

As  he  did  so  he  held  his  pony  ready  to  send  him  flying  over  the 
prairie  at  break-neck  speed. 

But  his  heart  was  thrilled  almost  in  the  same  second  by  a  reply, 
which  he  knew  came  from  no  lips  except  those  of  the  boy  himself. 

Yes;  Melville  had  recognized  the  call,  and  sending  back  the  reply, 
he  shouted — 

"  That's  Red  Feather !     Come,  father ;  I  know  he's  got  Dot ! " 

In  a  twinkling,  as  may  be  said,  the  chief  found  himself  in  the 
mindle  of  the  band  of  Nat  Trumbull  and  his  rangers,  where  he  was 


133  THE  STORY  OF  RED  FEATHER 

overwhelmed  with  congratulations.  Although  Dot  was  asleep,  her 
father  could  not  be  restrained,  and  caught  her  in  his  arms  and  pressed 
her  to  his  heart  with  tears  of  joy  and  thanks  to  Heaven  for  its  mercy 
in  restoring  her  to  him  unharmed. 

It  must  be  said  that  Dot  was  disposed  to  be  cross  at  being  awakened 
in  this  summary  fashion ;  but  when  her  little  brain  came  to  understand 
all  that  had  taken  place,  and  she  saw  that  it  was  her  own  father  who 
was  caressing  her,  she  laughed  and  shouted,  and  wanted  to  kiss 
and  embrace  every  one  of  the  party,  who  were  just  as  much  pkased 
to  fondle  the  child  as  though  each  had  a  proprietary  interest  in  hor. 

Since  it  was  evident  the  Sioux  could  not  be  brought  to  book,  Nat 
Trumbull  turned  about  and  headed  for  Bar  well,  which  the  whole 
party  reached  before  the  morning  sun  appeared.  Red  Feather  kept 
them  company,  and  I  must  say  that  I  doubt  whether  the  President 
of  the  United  States  himself  could  have  received  a  warmer  welcome 
when  the  whole  truth  became  known  to  the  pioneers. 

The  outbreak  of  the  Sioux  was  repressed  before  it  had  time  to 
assume  serious  proportions,  and,  inasmuch  as  every  one  who  had 
taken  any  part  in  it  was  anxious  to  clear  himself,  the  leaders  envied 
the  position  of  Red  Feather,  who  had  faced  about  so  early  that  no 
suspicion  could  attach  to  him.  He  was  re-established  in  the  good 
graces  of  his  people,  and  since  that  time  has  acted  in  such  a  manner 
that  no  one  will  question  his  right  to  be  considered  a  good  Indian. 


